Happy Birthday!

to me!!!!

I am 31 years old today and so to celebrate this momentous occasion (not), I decided to post for the first

time ever my list of 100 things about me. So today, my friends, is your lucky day! (okay, did that annoy

anyone else as bad as it annoyed me in the pres debate the other night??? "my friends")

100 Things You May or May Not Have Known About Me!

1. I want to (will some day) learn how to play the piano

2. I could talk all day about my children, if anyone would listen.

3. I served a mission in the Chile Santiago South Mission.

4. I knew that I was going to Santiago before I received my mission call (thanks to a very special spiritual experience)

5. I received my mission call on my 21^st birthday at 3 AM in a Catholic confession booth-turned-phone-booth in a youth hostile in Dublin, Ireland, after a night of dancing at Bono’s (from U2) dance club, The Kitchen, located behind and under his hotel, The Clarence. (is that a run-on sentence or what??)

6. I had the best 21^st birthday of anyone I know!

7. Nate and I went to the U2 Vertigo concert almost 4 years ago while my mom took care of our kids and London screamed the whole time until she fell asleep, exhausted. (Nate knew I’d never seen U2 in concert and so was determined to get the oh-so-difficult-to-obtain tickets for us – what a sweet boy!)

8. My husband, Nate, served a mission in Chile also, but different mission – no, we didn’t meet in Chile. We would like to go back there someday though.

9. I actually have seen more touristy places and landmarks in his mission than mine because my family came to pick me up and we couldn’t visit people in my mission, so we headed south and saw his.

10. It was supposed to be a surprise that my whole family (except lovesick Tyler) was coming to pick me up, but my mission president sent me the flight info along with the letter that my mom sent him, asking him to keep it a secret.

11. The day after we got back from Chile, Tyler got married – I was grateful they waited for me even though I didn’t know Regina (and now I love her and am grateful Tyler found such a great wife!).

12. I can’t wait to go on a mission with Nate someday!

13. I got a scholarship to BYU out of high school.

14. I left BYU to get married to Nate and am currently finishing my final 18 hours through their independent studies online.

15. I am a humanities major, turned history due to lack on online programs.

16. I love history and humanities – I love the way humanities teaches you how the history came to be, what affected it – the art, architecture, literature, philosophies, religion, wars, music, etc.

17. I believe that you haven’t truly seen a Van Gogh until you have seen one in person - the passion in the paint is intoxicating.

18. I love London.

19. I named my second daughter London.

20. I went to BYU London right before my mission and loved every minute of it.

21. I have always loved English history, something my mother ingrained in me.

22. Henry VIII and his daughter, Elizabeth, have always fascinated me and I’ve read many fiction and nonfiction books about them as well as King Arthur.

23. I love the Undergound in London – circle line is the best.

24. In England, I attended a ward in Whitechapel – that’s where Jack the Ripper stalked women.

25. I had two mission farewells: one in London and one in Mesa, AZ

26. I sometimes still listen to Spanish music – Shakira, Cheyanne, Ricky Martin, etc.

27. My daughter, Savannah’s favorite song is a Shakira song & London’s favorite song is U2’s Vertigo and she asks to hear it constantly.

28. I rented a car in London & spent a Thanksgiving weekend driving around Cornwall with friends. Driving in London traffic on their HUGE highway in the rain, on the wrong side of the road, worrying about running out of gas and about getting the car back in time is NOT fun!

29. I try to be very organized.

30. I annoy myself at how anal I can get – I have to do things a certain way or else I go crazy – all inside my head, of course (but don’t worry, I’m not ocd . . . yet)

31. I love going to plays.

32. I love plays in London because each one has their own theatre and the theatres are small and cozy so you feel more a part of the play.

33. My last few days in London, I went and saw Les Mis for the second time in London and cried.

34. I have Amy to thank for how I met my husband – they were ward missionaries together in the singles ward and I went to hear her teach a lesson and sat next to him.

35. Nate went home the first day he met me and told his mom he’d met the girl he was going to marry.

36. It was true.

37. I like to clean my house – I like the satisfaction of “accomplishing”

38. I get very cranky if my house is a mess for too long – more than a day.

39. I like to make lists and check things off – I’ve even sometimes add things I’ve already done just so I can check them off and feel like I’ve accomplished more – pathetic, I know, but like I said before, I’m pretty anal.

40. I love to cook new things and old favorites.

41. I don’t particularly love food, but we are getting along better as the years pass.

42. I like to work-out – Step and weight lifting are my favorites.

43. I wish I lived by Megan so we could work out together like the old days.

44. I really love children – not just mine, but my nieces and nephews too.

45. I have the cutest kids and nieces & nephews that I’ve ever seen!

46. I don’t journal, but I blog and hope that that will count as a journal for our family someday. I plan to make it into books and hope that it will provide many hours of reminiscing someday when the kids are grown up.

47. I enjoy doing genealogy and am now feeling guilty that I haven’t worked on it for a while – just another thing on the to-do list, right?

48. I LOVE to read and like Amy said in her list (a long time ago), I love when the book envelops you and you become a part of the book for the time you are reading it and then it lingers on you for days afterwards. Those are the good ones.

49. I love the Harry Potter books – the movies are nothing compared to the books and the books get better and better – darker and darker. The first two were more children’s books, but the others get more adult and draw you into a whole other world.

50. My husband and I are complete opposites in many areas, but the same on the areas of life that really matter. This makes our life more interesting!

51. Nate has introduced me to more new things that, previously, I would have shunned.

52. Example of #51: I actually like the Arnold Schwarzenegger cult classic documentary “Pumping Iron” which I never would have watched in a million years had it not been for my Nathan.

53. I love my family and am very loyal to them.

54. There’s nothing I like better than to get together and play cards with my siblings.

55. I don’t do well playing cards when I am pregnant. One time I had a package of Nibs (licorice) while playing a girls card game and ended up crying uncontrollably because Megan kept eating them and I was worried she’d eat them all! Hormones.

56. I don’t remember my childhood very well. There are few stories I remember.

57. I love to ride horses and miss it very much. I love when you get them out of the gallop stage and into the true running – where it’s smooth and fast – it’s very exhilarating.

58. A boy broke my leg in kindergarten by running by me (he ran with his legs out to the side) & kicking me. Nobody believed me, but it was broken through the whole bone.

59. I still remember that that boy was a pumpkin for Halloween. I don’t know why that has stuck with me.

60. The principal, probably afraid of a lawsuit, carried me around to library and other places even though I had crutches.

61. I burned my butt on a slide at school once too. I don’t remember how old I was (kindergarten or 1^st grade), but I do remember staying home with Megan and I couldn’t wear panties b/c the skin would stick to them. We sat down and played on the driveway for a while and when I got up, there was skin on the concrete. Gross!

62. I also remember that when I was gone, the school announced that “someone” had burned their bum to warn the children to be careful and Tyler told all his friends that it was me and I was mortified because the whole school knew when I came back.

63. I remember the day the Challenger exploded. My class was in the library at Sandpiper Elementary, Scottsdale, AZ, watching the launch. I will never forget that day.

64. I didn’t plan anything for my wedding – I was at BYU and let my mom do the whole thing, except when JoDee came to Provo and helped me find a wedding dress – that was fun.

65. I love BYU Campus - I love the Fall leaves on all the trees and then the Spring when everyone is out studying on the grass.

66. I even love the testing center . . . beautiful architecture!

67. I had horrible luck with roomies in college – drugs, sex, lesbians, fornicators, etc. if that gives you a good picture. Luckily my room roommate was great. Chevy saved me at that time.

68. I eventually got good roomies – oh the good times. . .

69. I want to travel all over the world someday with Nate. I love seeing new places and cultures.

70. I love the Pollo Rosa Maria and the calamari at Carrabbas.

71. I like to be alone and have my own time.

72. I have always and still do want a boob job someday. I know that sounds horrible, but honestly, my sisters took it all away and left nothing for me!!!! (and I’m tired of padded bras)(and after having kids, I wouldn’t mind more firmness. . .)(have I said too much for this one? Is anyone blushing yet besides me?)

73. I am addicted to renting whole seasons of tv shows and watching them quickly – much less stress when you can pop in the next dvd instead of dragging it out over 9 months! I’ve done this with four seasons of 24 and Lost.

74. I guess I need to get dvr, but then I’d be addicted to everything and I don’t want to be that tied down.

75. I loved President Hinckley and actually got to see him “command the elements” so to speak. In Chile, he visited the people in an open soccer arena w/o a roof. The whole day was dreary and it looked like we’d get soaked while we listened or have to cancel the whole thing. The weather held and after the closing prayer, he hopped up and quickly said “Now it can rain.” Immediately the rain started as if it had been waiting for his word. He could move a mountain if he wanted/needed to. Amazing.

76. I received my strong confirmation of my testimony of Joseph Smith in the MTC – amazingly enough, I later read that it was the same way Pres. Hinckley received his – through a stirring performance of the song “Praise to the Man.” It was just a bunch of 19-21 year olds singing, but I couldn’t control the emotions I felt inside.

77. I have a strong testimony of the atonement and know (not just believe) that any burden or hurt in your life can be taken away thanks to the atoning sacrifice of our Savior.

78. My favorite color is usually lime green.

79. I’m not a decision-maker. Nate gets frustrated that he always has to choose where we go for dinner.

80. I hate calling & talking on the phone (except with my sisters) and avoid it whenever possible. I will procrastinate forever.

81. I love-D being pregnant – edited: not true after this third pregnancy which wasn’t nearly as fun.

82. I have spent the night on St. Michaels Mount in Cornwall – there’s only a castle on the island and only the grounds workers & tour guides live there in cute little houses (we stayed with a tour guide who was a member of the church). That is where the movie Twelfth Night was filmed & they were all too happy to show us all the things in their house from the movie.

83. I have hairless armpits & legs forever (thanks to lasers & Amy babysitting my children). I LOVE IT!!!!

84. I once broke my arm because Amy & I were play fighting by kicking each other and she kicked my arm. It broke.

85. I have never wanted to go snow skiing because I’m afraid I’ll break my body.

86. I wore glasses my whole life for a lazy eye and in high school just decided to take them off and I’ve never worn them since. Megan thinks it’s my own person miracle. Maybe it is.

87. My eyeballs have been out of my head. Seriously. When I was 3 months and 3 years old (I think), I had surgeries on my eyes and they had to take them out of the sockets to work.

88. When I was young, the doctors told my mom I had leukemia and wouldn’t live.

89. Turns out it was a bone infection. I have a dent in my right thigh to remind me because that’s where they put the IV for the meds and apparently scarred me for life.

90. I hated westerns (except Lonesome Dove) until I was married to Nate five years and now I can handle them and even sometimes enjoy them. Oh, the things you do for love. . .

91. He watched all of the A&E Pride and Prejudice and enjoyed it. Oh, the things you do for love. . . (actually, he really liked the PBS Jane Austen movies, but don’t tell any of his friends…)

92. I have to put lotion on my feet every night before getting into bed.

93. In high school in Denver, people used to ask my little sister Megan and I for drugs because we were so silly together in our racquetball class.

94. We never won because we were doubled over the whole time laughing – must be why we were so skinny back then – lots of stomach workouts!

95. I have fainted in numerous public places including: the YMCA during a step class, the dressing room of the Gap and in a line at Elitches Amusement Park – all back in the day in Denver with my trusty little sister, Megan, there to catch me!

96. I am ready to move out of Arizona – 31 years here (minus college, mission and 2 years in Denver) and I’m ready to leave the 110+ weather that seems to last forever. . . I want COOL Octobers!

97. I am determined as of last week to become more crafty thanks to Pres. Uchtdorf’s RS talk and the example of so many bloggers when I see what they do. I think I can do amazing things too if I just try . . . right?

98. I never really liked chocolate before I had kids but now I have an unhealthy (literally) obsession with Hershey’s Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate with Toffee & Almonds. You can usually find a package in my spice cabinet (for sanity’s sake, of course).

99. The day I got married, they stuck Nate and I in this tiny sealing room to wait and we just sat there and I wasn’t nervous at all – I felt completely at peace and happy and I knew I had made the right choice.

100. I love current events and even politics so don’t get me started on any of it unless you have an hour or two to talk (or debate).

my weekend

was fabulous!

I always LOVE General Conference weekend and this weekend was no exception. I especially enjoyed it because it's been a year since I really watched a conference. Last April I tried to time my delivery around it, but when it came down to being one or two weeks overdue, I just couldn't go two. And so, I had her the day before conference. I came home from the hospital on Saturday with my new baby and then Sunday I just couldn't stay awake. I managed only two talks -- the one about motherhood and then Pres. Monson's final talk.

So this weekend, I made lots of good snacks (homemade salsa, caramel popcorn, cookies, breakfast quiche, you get the idea. . . ) to keep us from dozing and it turns out they really weren't necessary because ALL the talks were amazing and caught my attention for one reason or another. There were so many good ones that I can't wait to get the Ensign and read them.

I am grateful to have the opportunity twice a year to hear modern revelation that the Lord has for us. I am grateful for a living prophet, President Monson. The world is a scary place and especially currently with the financial world problems and so many other things that sometimes it's scary to look into the future. But I came away feeling uplifted and ready to enjoy everyday and make it the best day ever without worrying about tomorrow or next week or next year. I am ready to live for today, everyday. And the reason why is because I know that the only thing that really matters is that I know and have a personal relationship with my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ. If I keep that strong and live the gospel the best I can, then nothing else really matters in the eternal perspective of things.

Oh, I just love conference!

Plus, there's nothing like snuggling my honey on the couch while eating and listening to the prophets and apostles teach us.

(the picture is Savy's rendition of the Conference Center pulpit. I thought it was pretty darn good!)

Comic Relief

Lately I have heard a couple funny things said around the house:

1. The other day I was making dinner and I hear Savannah and London chatting in the pantry. "So, are you still going to be a puzzle-maker when you grow up, London? You ARE so good at puzzles." I never heard that one about being a puzzle-maker. In fact, I never really considered if people really become puzzle-makers because I'm sure it's all a machine and London will be crushed.

2. I have a FHE thing from my old ward that has a notebook of short stories/concepts that goes along with a ziplock full of little things to represent those stories. The girls LOVE it because they get to pick something out of the bag and I tell them the story or teach the concept. They think it's so fun and I think it's great that they're learning gospel principles and scripture stories. They especially liked the David and Goliath story the other day.

So last week Savannah, being obsessed with school and pencils, chose the pencil. The gospel concept was all about record-keeping and how the Book of Mormon was a record that prophets kept. We talked also about journals. Great. A week passes. Then the other day I was telling them for some reason or other how our house burned down in the middle of the night when I was a little girl (5th grade to be exact). Savannah was enthralled hearing how I had to run out of my bed to get out of the house. After the story, she got up and declared: "Mom, you should put that in the Book of Mormon."

3. London and Savannah have been playing in the other room and London just came in and told me "mommy, I need to go in time-out because I just hit Nana." Hmmm. . . what does that mean to me as a parent? Is that good or bad? I honestly don't know.

4. The other day London was freaking out about something -- she though ants were crawling on her. I hear Savannah yelling from the other room, "London,it's just a fig of your imagination." I went into Sav's room and asked what she'd said -- yep, she said "fig of your imagination." I love that they learn new words and try to implement them. I thought that was pretty dang good for a 5-year old.

5. A couple weeks ago we tried something new (from my childhood). We french-braided Sav's hair after her bath and when she woke up it was perfectly wavy. She loved it. While waiting to be picked up, she said,

"Mom, I look like a rock star!"

So I had to take a picture of my little rock star who was perfectly dressed for her recitation of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" that day (notice her star shirt - she's very aware of what she wears). I love it that they already have to memorize poems, just a month in!

Note: she did not get to recite her poem that day and was very sad -- oh the joy of having your last name start with W - she'll always be last!

All in a day's work (I mean play)

this is my house at the moment . . . and it's only 3:00!
the abandoned bedroom

the abandoned "school room"

the occupied bathtub

(London does have clothes on - sort of - it's a swimsuit!)

oh - to be young again!

Good Things

1. I lost 3 pounds last week (only 10-15 more to go!)

2. I actually did my visiting teaching already. (it helps that I love both the ladies I visit and my partner)

3. Yesterday I took a mini-nap before church and when I woke up, I had a gorgeous framed picture of Reagan that Amy had Photoshopped and framed and brought over. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You do so much for me that I can't begin to thank you enough (and I'm not just talking about the picture).

4. I get to teach preschool this week for London's class.

5. I get to have my first "parent-teacher conference" on Friday with Mrs. Cammack.

6. Savy wants to be a witch for Halloween. This will be the first year one of the girls will be an actual "scary" thing for Halloween - big steps here --- big steps AWAY from princesses and brides. . .

Service

"In the New Testament we learn that it is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ without taking an unselfish attitude toward men. In the book of Matthew, Jesus taught, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me' (Matthew 25:40)." -Pres. Monson

"Albert Schweitzer, the noted theologian and missionary physician, declared: 'I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.' "
-Pres. Monson

"Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only traveler. There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save." -Pres. Monson

Can I just say I love Pres. Monson?

Anyway, onto my soapbox I go. . .

Last Thursday evening a storm began brewing at around 5:00. The wind whipped like crazy and we were hopeful that it would rain. I heard a knock on the door and my friend Melissa is standing there, and I think I hear her say "where's your garbage can?" (yes, the wind was whipping loudly and I worried it had blown away), but she was really asking where my garbage can goes so that she could go put it back behind the gate, safe and sound. Once I realized what she wanted, I tried to hand over Reagan so that I could go and do it myself, but she refused and told me "I'm on a mission to save garbage cans."

I don't know how many other garbage cans were saved that day, but I do know that it was a nice gesture and make me wonder if I do little things like that enough for my friends and neighbors.

Then I remembered another lesson Melissa taught me a few months ago. I had just had Reagan and at that time neither Wal-mart nor Fry's were built by our house so going to the store wasn't a quick, easy thing. I remember she called me one day and casually said,

"I'm going to the store and wondered if you needed me to pick up anything?" Not a big deal, but it really made me feel good inside (yeah, that's what service does) just to know how sweet that she even thought of me.

I ususally think of service as something that needs to be planned, organized and carried out. You know, like a "service project" or bringing dinner to someone after they had a baby or a surgery or having the compassionate service leader call you to watch someone's kids. Yeah, that's service.

Epiphany. I've known it my whole life from watching my mother's example and at times of my life I've recognized and tried to implement, but last week it was brought to my attention once again: the truest form of service.

I believe the truest form of service is the kind that is impromptu, from the heart and almost so simple that it seems too easy to be labeled "service." And yet that is the service that really shows someone you care because it would have been just as easy to go on with your life and not put forth that extra effort.

Like Melissa could have just skipped phoning me and gone on her happy way or she could have just gotten out of the wind and into the safety of her car, not caring about the garbage cans. Growing up, Cyndee constantly taught this to us as we quite often would go and buy Thirstbusters for some random man working outside in the 100+ weather or any number of small such things.

I realize that starting today I need to do more to recognize the little things and just do them without thinking twice like Melissa.

For example, last Saturday was the Primary practice and I considered, yes even walked to the doorway of my awesome next-door neighbor to see if she wanted me to take her son, but then my little voice inside me (not the still, small one) told me not to disturb her on a Saturday morning so I turned around and left. When I saw her walk in with him about 10 minutes late, I felt horrible that I just didn't DO IT. (hopefully she doesn't regularly read my blog or she'll know how horrible I am.)

That's my lesson, iddy-bitty confession and challenge for today.

And here are a few more inspiring quotes I found (gotta love quotes)--

"Serving others need not come from spectacular events. Often it is the simple daily act that gives comfort, uplifts, encourages, sustains, and brings a smile to others. May we always find opportunities to serve." -Michael J. Tey

"Stretching our souls in service helps us to rise above our cares, concerns, and challenges. As we focus our energies on lifting the burdens of others, something miraculous happens. Our own burdens diminish. We become happier. There is more substance to our lives." - David S. Baxter

"Many of us will not survive our tests in mortality without help from others. And just as true: in helping others we keep our own spirits alive." -Kathleen H. Hughes

Friday

Everyone knows Friday is
Grandma Cyndee Day

Last Friday, we spent it in downtown Mesa with Mimi and Grandma.
I love downtown Mesa with all it's little shops, benches and statues.

Lunch was eaten at a trendy little
pizza place/really old ice cream shop/cake bakery.
The kids thought they were hot stuff, sitting at their own table.
I liked the brick walls and the funky artwork hanging around us.
The pizza was also pretty dang tasty.
Oh, and Reagan LOVED the ice cream.
An outing wouldn't be complete without us
going to a store with ALL our children.
This time it was Hobby Lobby.
I LOVE it that my girls are holding hands - best buddies. I think all the exciting fun blotted out the fact that our children also got shots that day. London seriously went madly hysterical like I've never seen. Reagan did well. I'm lucky, my girls never even get fevers or any sort of reaction to shots so it's really not a big deal to us. Savannah was on top of the world because she's the only child who escaped shots and doesn't need them until she's 12. Aidan and London have now joined her in that prestigious position.
Poor Reagan. Many more shots to come for that girl . . .