Picture of the house

Here is our awesome house. This was after my brother and sister in law had the huge tree removed from the front yard a few years ago. What a great place to build some memories.

Earliest Childhood Memory

Ok, this one is easy. My parents moved to Broomfield, CO when I was only a few months old from Grand Junction. My dad got a job and there weren't many to be had in those days. So they took us to a little 2 bedroom house on W 132nd Ave. Holly was born when I was 18 months old and then mom got pregnant with Lisa 9 months after that. Yeah, my parents are crazy people. So that little house got too small really quickly. They found a house right down the street from the one we were living in. This became the house that I grew up in until I left for college. So, when we moved mom was pregnant with Lisa and Holly was a baby. I was 2. And I remember it. Not vividly but I have a few memories from that day. I remember walking down the street holding my moms hand while she was carrying Holly to the new house. I remember dad picking me up and walking down into the basement to look at it. The landlords were showing him I think. I also remember my Gramps was there painting my parents bedroom. It was pink and they were painting it white. He told me not to touch the wall because I would get paint on my hands. I didn't believe him so I put my hand on the wall and... it got covered in paint! Who'd have thunk?? I remember my hand felt really weird and I didn't want to show anyone cause I thought I would get in trouble.

That house has meant a lot to me over the years. It was a special place for all of us. My parents moved out of it when I graduated from college in 2006. My brother and his wife now own it and have turned it into such a great little house! I love that it is always going to be a part of the Mahan family legacy.

Meaning of my Name

Well, this is easy. My name is Stefanie. My family calls me Stef mostly but I always introduce myself as Stefanie. I like Stef and Stefanie equally. Just don't ever call my Steffy. I will fong you.

Mahan is a very important name to me. I am proud of my family and who I am.

Griffith is just as important to me now as Mahan. It is who I have become. I love my Griffith family and I love that I am a part of my husband now as he is a part of me.

20 Facts about me

I'll see if I can make any of this interesting.

1. Being a mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It is the hardest and most rewarding thing that I have ever done. When Miki was put up on my chest when she was born I knew that my life had changed forever. I knew that I had known her before and she has always been mine. I love her more than anything.

2. I am currently watching The Bourne Identity on Blu Ray with Matt.

3. I like cheetos.

4. My sisters are my best friends. Holly is probably the most like me. Jen and I didn't really get along as kids cause I wanted her to think I was cool and I wasn't. But now we are best friends. Lisa and I got really close when we worked together one summer at Camp Explorer and hung out a lot after work. I am so glad cause we weren't super close before that. Kelli and I shared a room until I was 13. She used to climb in bed with me when she had a bad dream. It's hard for me to realize that she is a woman now but I love seeing the amazing person she has become.

5. My brother and I were in high school at the same time and I felt so special that he wasn't embarrassed to be seen with me.

6. I really hit my stride in College. I found a lot of confidence in myself and made friends that I will have for life.

7. Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite books.

8. I read the Anne of Green Gables books about once a year. All 8 of them. Matt has promised to take me to Prince Edward Island someday. I love escaping there with the characters in the books.

9. I love picnics. Especially picnic baskets.

10. My best friend lives in New York City and I am so unbelievably proud of him for following his dreams. His name is Christopher Klaich and next to my husband is one of the most talented people you will ever meet.

11. I struggle right now with being a stay at home mom. There is nothing I would rather do than be at home with Miki. But sometimes I feel isolated when I am stuck at home all day. I babysit 2 other kids during the week and so there are days at a time when I don't leave the house except to step out into the yard.

12. I love Italian and Mexican Food.

13. I fulfilled a lifelong dream when my husband took me to Paris in 2009. It was everything I thought it would be and more. I love the architecture, culture and history there. I love the language and the food. I could live there.

14. When people show kindness it makes me happy.

15. I love theater and if I was still single I would be auditioning and trying to perform as much as possible.

16. I am a dog person. However, once our dog we have now is no longer with us, which could be for awhile yet. I do not want another dog. Not at all. Until our kids are grown. Too much stress.

17. I love Keith Urban.

18. Nothing would make me happier than seeing my husband succeed in the Music Business. We are just waiting for a big star to pick up one of his songs.

19. I will choose fruit over vegetables anytime.

20. I play the flute.

31 day blog challenge. Introduction.

Ok, friends. I am catching up on my 3 days missed of the challenge. First, intro. My name is Stefanie Mahan Griffith. I was born in Grand Junction, CO on May 23, 1984. I just turned 28. I grew up in Broomfield, CO with my parents and siblings. I am the 3rd of 6 kids. 4 sisters and one brother. I love my family more than anything. I moved to Grand Junction for college when I was 18 and got a degree at Mesa State in Communications and Vocal Performance. I met my husband, Matthew Griffith in college. We were in choir together. We have been married for 4 years. We have a 2 year old daughter, Michaela Jones Griffith. We are having another girl this September. We are naming her Lucy Jean Griffith. I love reading, watching movies, singing, playing with my girl and hanging out with my husband. I miss my family fiercely and can't wait until we can move home permanently to be closer to all of the happenings in our families lives.

The Griffith's at the Zoo

Miki loved the Carousel!

The girls show our Southern Charm!

Breakfast at the Phunky Griddle. We didn't plan the green theme.

Miki examines the menu.

Easter Eggs!

Grandma supervises Miki coloring on her eggs.

Miki and Grandma at the Opryland Hotel.

Miki was having fun taking pictures with the camera.

Mom and I at the Opryland Hotel.

Grandma's Visit and a Weekend in Chattanooga

So, the first week of April was complete heaven for us here in Nashville! My mom, Cindy came to visit us for her Spring Break. We spent time just hanging out around the house and playing. Michaela called her "Gamma" to her face for the first time and brought her to tears. I can't even describe how good it was for Miki to have her here. (I think it was a little beneficial to Grandma too.) We are lucky to have good friends and a comfy little house here. But one of my biggest regrets right now is that Miki doesn't have the close interaction with our extended family that I know would only be good for her. She is such an amazing little girl and she teaches me new lessons every day. She is happy here because she doesn't know any different and I am so glad. But it is hard for me to have her miss this time with cousins and aunties and grandparents. So, that being said, we had a great time. Grandma and Miki read books and played games. We all went to the zoo and saw all of the fun animals. We took mom to the Opryland Hotel and had a delicious burger at STAX. Then we went and got gelato. Also delicious. We were able to have friends over to get to know my mom a little better as well which is also really nice. It's so nice when the people that we talk about to each other get to meet in person. We grilled burgers and had a fire in the fire pit that Matt built in the back yard. One of the other highlights of the week was our ultrasound on Friday the 6th.

Mom got to be here to see that we will be having her 6th granddaughter in September! Lucy Jean Griffith is what we are naming her. Matt and I are so excited for Miki to have a sister so close in age to her. As you all know, my sisters are my best friends. We didn't always get along like we do now of course but growing up with them made me into the woman I am today. They constantly inspire me with their strength, testimonies of the gospel and the amazing men that they have chosen for companions. I love that Miki will have so many girl cousins close in age to her and a sister to share memories with! We are planning on having more kids later but we are excited to be able to enjoy our 2 girls for awhile.

I have to share this cause it's so adorable. Matt gave me a hug when we got home from our ultrasound and said that he didn't want to say anything before cause he didn't want me to think he would be disappointed if we were having a boy but, he was really hoping for a girl. Because "girls are so much fun!" He is such an amazing husband and he loves his Miki girl so much, I am looking forward to watching his relationship grow with Lucy. And mine too. What a welcome addition to our family!

As I said, Lucy will be the 6th granddaughter on my side in 2 1/2 years. When I called all of the family to tell them it was a girl everyone just giggled. We love having so many girls in our family!

So, to get us out of town a little bit, Matt to Miki and I to Chattanooga, Tennessee over the weekend. It was so nice to get away for a few days. We took Miki to the Tennessee Aquarium which was awesome! She loves all of the "fishies" and "nakes" (snakes) and she tried to grab the fish out of the air in the Imax 3D Coral Reef movie. We took her swimming in the hotel pool twice and she had a blast! She picked out her own bright pink swimsuit just for the occasion. We really liked Chattanooga. It's a great little city with a huge river running down its center. There is a great atmosphere there and nice people. Mommy needed a break and it was so good to have one. Even if it was short.

So, we are going to start preparing for little miss Lucy to join us in September. We are excited for all of the changes in our whole family in the next few months. Lots of babies and visits and fun planned. So, if you get a desire to come and visit us, please do. Every little distraction helps me so much right now. I am still not feeling wonderful all of the time and have been exhausted with this pregnancy. I am grateful for modern technology that helps us to keep in touch with people so easily. But there is nothing as good as a face to face convo and some good ole family time. Well, we love you all! Hope all is well.

Matt, Stef and Miki