The final goodbye

On April 24, 2008 we laid my father, Ken Shaffer, to rest in his final resting place. He is gone now, but we all know it will not be the last time we will see him. Although difficult, the funeral services were beautiful. A wonderful tribute was made to honor my dad for the truly great man that he was. We thank all who attended to show support. I know there were more people there than he ever thought would care and for that I say thank you. I don't think I even realized how much my dad affected other people's lives, he will be missed so much.

At the funeral I was honored to be able to read a poem that I wrote for my father. I don't know how I was able to get through it without making a complete mess of it all. I would like to share that poem with you now.

A Letter to Dad

With love in our hearts
As children we stand
To gather together
To honor a truly great man

You have brought us a lifetime of joy
And memories too
Even one day is too long
To live without you

And so we will mourn
And shed a few tears
As we think about you
And all our happy years

We will live each day
The way that you would
Following your footsteps
Like good children should

The legacy you have left
Of hard work and of love
Will live on forever
As you watch from above

We will walk uprightly now
On earth we will remain
You can walk uprightly now
As you are free from the pain

We are the people we are
Because the way you have taught
Not a single day will go by
Without you in our thoughts

And when our eyes are closed
It’s your smile we can see
Our father, our friend
Forever you will be

In loving memory of our father, Ken Shaffer
Written by his daughter, Tiffany Head
April 21, 2008

This past week our family has been able to spend a large amount of time with one another. While it was a tragic event that happened to get us together I am grateful for the closeness that we have felt as we have reminised about our childhood and all the good times with Dad. This is definetly a week that will forever affect my life.

I am so thankful to both my mother and my father for the way they have raised us to become the people we are. Thank you Mom for being so loving and caring. I thank my dad for teaching me how important it is to be a good person and a hard-worker. As our family tries to get back to reality I hope we will always remember what an amazing, loving, kind and wonderful man that my dad was.

Dad, we will see you again some day, I love you.

My DAD!

I would like to give a tribute to my dad,

Kenneth Gene Shaffer. November 16, 1946 - April 17, 2008.

My Dad was the most amazing man I have ever met. He was the strongest, most hard-working, giving, honorable man. Not a day will go by that I won't think about or miss my dad. I would like to thank everyone who has been so loving and caring during this difficult time. Thank you to the Orchard Ward who loved him so much and for the love that is continuing to be shown at this time, especially for my mother. She is the strongest woman in the world. We greatly appreciate all the meals, cards, phone calls, and hugs. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 24th at the Curtis building next to Borah at 11:00. We invite all who would like to attend to come.

My dad will be missed by more than he knows and ever thought possible. Our lives will never be the same. I am happy with the knowledge to know that he is free of pain and is walking uprightly, the polio will no longer be a bother.

Dad, we love you, we miss you and we look forward to the day that we will be with you once more.

My dad loved his Prowler - April 2007

Mom & Dad - March 2005

Dad & Oscar - January 2008

Me & my dad May 2000

Me & my dad - I think I was about 10

My daddy walked me down the aisle when Ryan & I were married just barely one year ago.

See, I told you he loved it. - April 2007

Me & my dad when I was getting ready to leave for a dance - December 1999

My High School graduation - May 2000

The last picture that was ever taken of my wonderful dad was at Oscar's blessing just 5 days prior to his passing. I love the way Oscar is looking at him. This is the last time I ever saw or spoke to my father. It is a wonderful last memory of him.

I love you DAD!

Please visit Ryan's blog (my super nerd, Ryan, to the right) to view his feelings, it is written so perfectly.

A Blessed Day for Oscar

On Sunday, April 13 we were able to have Oscar's blessing. It was a crazy day at church as Oscar was one of 5 baby blessings and 2 comfirmations. Out of all the baby blessings he was the only boy, good odds for him in 16 years. Oscar was lucky to have so many priesthood holders participate. He had his dad, Grandpa Head, Grandpa Shaffer, Grandpa Johnson, Uncle Rod, Uncle Chris, Uncle Mike, Uncle Ryan, and our bishop stand in the circle. It was such a wonderful blessing and I thank Ryan for his faithfulness and obedience to this gospel to give such an amazing blessing.Doesn't Oscar look so handsome? His Grandma Johnson made his blessing outfit. Thanks Joan, it was so perfectDad & Osc

The whole family

Oscar & Grandma & Papa Shaffer

Oscar & Grandma & Papa Head

Oscar & Grandma & Papa Johnson

Oscar just relaxing after a long day

We had a luncheon after church at Ryan's parents house. Thank you to everyone who came to participate and support Oscar, we love you all. We also got a picture of all the grandkids on Ryan's side.

A Child's Prayer

Here is a video of one of Charlie's prayers. Notice Oscar crying in the background (sorry Oscar). I had to help him end his prayer or he never would have stopped. If you can't understand or don't fluently speak Charliese he is saying "thank you for the missionaries and thank you for President Monson and Uchtdorf." Evidently he really likes President Uchtdorf. What a sweet little spirit.

And Happy Anniversary to You!

Isn't she beautiful? One of the best parts of about being married to Tiff is that we share everything. There are no secrets. So I thought I would take a moment to pay tribute to this most incredible woman who I have the pleasure and blessing to call my wife.

Now, for those who might read this, I am sure you already know what a spectacular woman she is. It is hard not to. From her infectious smile to her continual positive, lifting attitude, she has made the world a better place. She is the best friend I could imagine. The world would not be the same without her.

Now let me tell you how she has changed my life. My parents always taught me that love is an amazing thing. It is kind, it is patient, it is wonderful. Until I began my life with Tiff, I thought that they had just made love sound too good and that I had just had too high of expectations. However, the love that I began to feel as Tiff and I started courting made me realize that the perfect picture they painted was more than just an illusion. She has made it my reality. And since that time, the picture keeps getting more and more beautiful.

Tiffany is the BEST wife and friend I could ever imagine. Through her I can see the path to eternity and I could not imagine an eternity without her. She makes my days complete and my life worth living. I have always been a dreamer but she has made those dreams richer and more real. She is the love of my life.

She is the most incredible mother our children. They are lucky to have a mother who so patiently prepared her life to fulfill this awe inspiring role. I pay honor and tribute to the way she so willing dedicates her life to the service of truly the most beautiful children. My life would not be so perfect if it were not for them. I love her for making me a father.

Tiffany, Happy Anniversary! Thank you for the miracle that this last year of life has been. I love you the mostest!

Happy Anniversary!

On April 6, 2007 Ryan and I were married. It was one of the best days of my life (children being born ranks pretty high too).


Ryan and I celebrated our first anniversary on Friday night. We went out to dinner to Andrade's. It is an excellent authentic mexican restaurant on Overland that Ryan just can't get enough of. It was a really great evening. We have both been very busy lately and we came to realize that neither of us had gotten anything for the other, not even a card. (We usually make cards for each other for special event such as this). We went to Target to look for something and thought of a really good cheap way to say "I Love You". We both went to the card section, picked out a card that we would have bought that person and exchanged them to one another at the store. We had our special little moment in the card aisle and then we put the cards back. It was great. Tonight I made Ryan a cake (Yellow cake with chocolate frosting is one of his favorites).

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who would do anything for me. He is a great person, an amazing dad, and a perfect husband. I don't know what I would do without him. Thank you Ryan for making my life as wonderful as it is. I love you and Happy Anniversary.

The color purple

What do you think is Oscar's new favorite color???

Poor little guy had to go to the doctor today and she said he had Thrush. This was the medicine he had to have to clear it up. He also had 3 shots to boot. He was NOT a happy little purple boy. They said the color should be gone off his skin within 24 hours, but if it lands on anything else it is there for good. Wish me luck, so far we have managed to only ruin 2 burp rags and one outfit.

Ryan & Oscar

Do we see a slight resemblance???