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Deborah Talmadge (Jaime's mother)
Deborah Talmadge is a native of western Colorado and is the mother of three and the grandmother of five. Deborah is proficient at the piano and studied Piano Performance and Geology at Mesa State College. She even had the opportunity to stay for a month in Italy to study under piano masters there. She now teaches piano lessons around her writing schedule and has published two fiction novels.
Deborah has served in numerous church callings including Primary Chorister, Ward Organist and Chorister, Music Chairman, Relief Society Teacher, Ward Activity Director, and eight years as a Gospel Doctrine teacher. She is currently serving as the Relief Society Nursery Leader and Sunday School teacher for ages 14-16.
Deborah is very involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren and got a first-hand look at daily life with Ephraim’s Children while caring for one Ephraim’s Child grandson while his mom was on four months of bed rest. After taking care of him all day, she would then stay in the evenings with her other daughter and her two Ephraim’s Children. Deborah enjoys early morning walks and hiking in the desert mountains and canyons of western Colorado.
Jaime Theler (Deborah's daughter)
Hi everyone! This is where you get to find out a little more about me. I grew up in Fruita, Colorado and the four things in high school that I was determined not to happen in my life were: 1) go to BYU, 2) get married while in college, 3) live in Utah, and 4) be "just a mom" (make sure to imagine the right amount of scorn).
Well, I met and married my wonderful husband Jason while attending Brigham Young University. After graduation (with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy for me and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education for him) we settled in Utah. I had my first child two months after graduating and became "just a mom" - a phrase that was swiftly and vehemently eliminated from my vocabulary.
Obviously the Lord had his own plans for my life, and it was just too bad that it completely contradicted all of my own ideas. Equally obviously I had a little humbling to do and a large lesson in who's boss. I am so glad that I was able to dredge up enough faith at the time to trust that the Lord knew what he was doing with my life.
I once attended a church leadership meeting where a successful BYU professor and author spoke. He was a very engaging speaker with a great sense of humor. I can't recall the topic he discussed, but I can remember a flippant comment he made at the beginning of his talk. He said if you want to really know how to do something, write a book about it.
That struck me because at the time I was struggling with how to parent my own children. For a while my mom had been sending quotes and thoughts my way about the tribe of Ephraim and had already nicknamed my oldest an "Ephraim's Child." So because I didn't know what to do, I worked with my mom to write a book about it, and the result has been marvelous!
We now live in American Fork, Utah, and I am a Senior Household Supervisor (known to most others as a stay-at-home mom) with the full-time job of keeping up with my extremely active kids. I fit writing around naps, bedtime, and daily crises.
I have also served for years in the primary organization in three different wards, which has given me more experience with methods and techniques that do—and do not—work with super intense kids. I love to play tennis, scrapbook, read anything I can get my hands on, and dabble in interior decorating.
I have loved meeting new people in the publishing of this book. It is great to hear how our struggle for information has helped others. I can't wait to meet and talk with more of you! Thank you so much.
Deborah Talmadge and Jaime Theler are available to speak to groups for Enrichment nights, Firesides, Book Clubs, or even just a group of friends in your home. For now they will speak free of charge. A variety of presentations are available. Most presentations last one hour, but can be adjusted to your time needs. Please contact at authors@ephraimschild.com for more information or to request a speaking kit.
