Grandma Risa, Grandpa Barry, and Max

7 Months for Maxiffin...

Mission Reunion

While out running last week, I ran into an Elder from my mission who is from Ireland. I was a bit confused to see him in Provo, Utah. He said he was just here visiting and so we decided to throw a last-minute Get-together. We enjoyed company over ice cream. I was surpried that so many showed up. Max got ice cream from several different people and was still happy at 10:30. Six of the nine missionaries from my MTC district came and one of my companions happened to be in town from Seattle! Mission friends truly are unforgettable. I wanted to be a sister again that evening but then I dreamt that night that I had been called again, and I woke up in a sweat. Thanks to all those who came! Enjoy the pictures...

Aunt Josie stops in for a quick visit... (all Skinner visits are quick)

This past weekend was a ton of fun. My sister, Josie, came over from Laramie to watch the BYU/Wyoming game. We had great seats in the Wyoming section. The Wyoming fans, all 10 of them, were pretty entertaining... my favorite comment that some guy yelled was... "Gotta love BYU...nothing like caffeine-free Coke, YUM!" I cheered for Wyoming - they needed it. I was born in Laramie and my dad bought me a UWO jacket long before it fit. One of my friends watched Max so it was just the two of us.



I always find the Army men wherever I go... in the hopes that my husband is playing a sick joke - and hiding among them. He wasn't at this game.


Max loved seeing Aunt Josie.


Josie picked tomatoes in the Gilbert's garden. She didn't take any with her though, so there are still a ton. I eat as many as I can because there is nothing in the world that compares to a fresh garden ta-ma-toe. Yum!

Max is trying to crawl... but his legs just get in the way!

He moves backwards with arm strength only. It is fun to watch. I started getting him ready for bed right when he rolled over and began trying so hard... and he tried for 30 long minutes. He can sit up on his own for a long period of time and always has to have something in his mouth! He will eat anything - (I gave him a graded homework packet because I had nothing right in front of me to calm him down and I took it away shortly after, and a huge corner was missing!) Oops! He even loves his veggies. Today he had carrots, and I noticed that his snot was orange when his nose ran!

Wednesday's Thought Goes Public

Brig and I have a private blog and I write him a little spiritual thought throughout the week. It is oft times centered around the conference talk that I read while nursing Max. Today, I read Elder Ballard's words on motherhood. It will be good for my sweet husband but I thought other mothers might also take something from it as well... so my favorite parts are this excerpt and the following quotes. You can read the whole talk on www.lds.org.

Elder Ballard's Conference Talk titled, "Daughters of God"
"As a young father, I learned the demanding role of motherhood. I served as a counselor and then as bishop for a period of 10 years. During that time we were blessed with six of our seven children. Barbara was often worn-out by the time I got home Sunday evening. She tried to explain what it was like to sit on the back row in sacrament meeting with our young family. Then the day came that I was released. After sitting on the stand for 10 years, I was now sitting with my family on the back row.

The ward’s singing mothers’ chorus was providing the music, and I found myself sitting alone with our six children. I have never been so busy in my whole life. I had the hand puppets going on both hands, and that wasn’t working too well. The Cheerios got away from me, and that was embarrassing. The coloring books didn’t seem to entertain as well as they should.

As I struggled with the children through the meeting, I looked up at Barbara, and she was watching me and smiling. I learned for myself to more fully appreciate what all of you dear mothers do so well and so faithfully!"

He went on to say, "It is crucial to focus on our children for the short time we have them with us and to seek, with the help of the Lord, to teach them all we can before they leave our homes. This eternally important work falls to mothers and fathers as equal partners. I am grateful that today many fathers are more involved in the lives of their children. But I believe that the instincts and the intense nurturing involvement of mothers with their children will always be a major key to their well-being. In the words of the proclamation on the family, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children”."

He gives us four suggestions on how to make our lives rewarding. They are as follows:
(I have not included his insight into each suggestion - refer to his talk for more detail.)
1. Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments
2. Don’t overschedule yourselves or your children.
3. Find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests
4. Pray, study, and teach the gospel

I realize day in and day out that motherhood is what I have dreamt about - and these reflections have been refreshing as I have started another semester of school and am in 'learning mode'. Just in the past few days I find myself getting caught up, just like I am sure many of you do, and I picture myself (as a friend of mine put it) 'in New York City wearing sharp business attire without stains and pantyhose without runs dining at a fancy bakery during my 2 hour lunch break.' I think of the "who I could be" with a title behind my name and the respect I would gain in the workforce. Elder Ballard's words are so encouraging and I am once again grateful to be a mom and find joy in motherhood. May we remember that "the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

I have always said if I have 'a house full of children who call me Momma, a husband who loves me and writes me a love letter now and again, and a garden with a hammock, my dreams will find their way to true.

New Faces to Max

Being in Utah, I have been able to catch up with some of my dear friends. It has been so nice to visit with them and have company!


The Kochs, a senior couple on my mission who live in Northern Utah. They are wonderful people.



The Manwarings, my mission President and his sweet wife. They live in Virginia but came to Utah for an anniversary of close friends. We loved reminiscing about the mission. I wish they didn't live so far away!



Jack and Traci, long-time family friends. We took Jack and Max swimming at their neighborhood pool. The thing that cracked me up, Jack was in the hot tub while we were in the baby pool. I think the picture of Jack holding Max's hand is so sweet. They're still boys though!


My old college friends, Lena, Andrea, Alexia, and Breanne. Breanne is going on a mission to Taiwan and so we had a little get-together before she left. I will have to post the pictures and video of them giving Max watermelon!