Happy Birthday Kindyl!

Kindyl turns ten today. I can't believe she is that old! Kindyl was my easiest baby, and has continued to be a very sweet, easygoing child. When she was a toddler and I had the choice of running errands by myself or taking her with me, I often took her with me. This is unheard of for me. I don't like running errands with kids. I almost never do it. It is difficult and unnecessary .But she never asked for things she couldn't have, and she would point out fun things and just keep me entertained. Often when I am driving with her I call out her name just to double check that I didn't leave her at home! She is a quiet child, but at the same time hilarious! See this post: http://clanmacnab.blogspot.com/2008/03/silly-kindyl.html

ten things I love about Kindyl:

1. She is hilarious! She makes you laugh when you least expect it.

2. She is a good friend. I love watching or hearing about her interactions with her friends. I remember 4th grade, and I remember petty jealousies, mean girls, and getting my feelings hurt. She and one friend in particular seem to just be made differently. They are silly, and don't even seem to notice things that should hurt their feelings. She just likes to have fun. And when someone says something rude to her, she doesn't retaliate. Today she told me something rude a girl said to her. Instantly I thought of about four mean things about this girl Kindyl could say back.(yes, I have mean thoughts about children. But only when they are mean to mine.) And yet she didn't say anything mean back. When I asked her why she said, "mom, I never do. What would be the purpose?" She doesn't see a reason to hurt other people. No drama.

3. She is a fantastic artist.

4. She plays with Brenley, and even takes her to her friend's house with her.

5. She does what she is asked the first time.

6. She has fabulous hair;)

7. She loves to sing

8. She is thoughtful of others

9. She is a great student. Her teachers have always loved her.

10.She is helpful

My First Award

I was so excited to get my first award last week! Julie, AKA Crazy Mama, gave me this award and I am very honored!( http://crazymamaof6.blogspot.com/ I still don't know how to make a link, though Julie herself tried to explain it to me at lunch. What can you do?) You can't read crazy mama's blog without relating on some level, or just laughing your head off. She is the queen of telling it like it is. This is what she said:

"Sherry is a newer blogger. she found me from a few links on several blogs she frequented. turns out. we went to the same H.S. and she is NICE. not the girl that i mistakenly thought she was. and she liked me anyway even though i accused her of not being nice to me in H.S. she is NICE. and i figured out the girl that wasn't! whew! that was a relief! she posts. keeps it real, comments lots. and even replies to comments. i consider her a friend these days. and even have a lunch date set up! awesome!"

I have to say I was a little flattered, because I always thought this girl was cuter than me, and was a little jealous. I showed Wendell her pic in my yearbook, and he agreed that we look really similar. Kind of funny. But she is not the nicest girl around. So those of you who thought I was mean in High School, It wasn't me! It was my impostor, striking again;)

Here are the rules:
The award comes with these rules: 1. The winner can put the logo on their blog. 2. Link to the person you received your award from. 3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs. 4. Put links of those blogs on yours. 5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated. 6. Write an acceptance speech in the style of the Academy Awards, thanking every body’s mother, father, sister, brother, aunties and uncles and the kitchen staff at your favorite restaurant! So...I nominate the following great blogs (in no particular order)-

7? Heavens!

Christina at http://vivafullhouse.blogspot.com/-OneHM had listed this blog on her "Share the Wealth" feature, so I had to check it out. When I went I noticed that the girl looked oddly familiar. But I knew I didn't know anyone who had twins and then triplets! Wait her name is Christina, I knew a couple of Christina's in High School. But I don't remember any of them looking like super models! I had to pull out my year book, and sure enough, there she was. Christina is one of those girls that looks even better than she did in High School. After having twins and triplets! Amazing! And she really was a nice girl. I am amazed at how she is able to keep it together. SO cute.

ONEHM (one happy mama) at http://believeittoseeit.blogspot.com/. She is a fabulous photographer, and a fabulous digiscrapper. I have neither of these abilities. She has the amazing gift of making you feel inspired, while at the same time admitting to feeling overwhelmed at times. This makes me feel like I want to be a better person, without making me feel guilty that I am not already! What a great combination!

Laurie at http://vidal12home.blogspot.com/. Laurie is my long lost cousin and she cracks me up! She has a way of saying things that sometimes makes me cover my mouth and say,"Oh my goodness, did she really just say that?" I love it. It is like having that good friend in High School that was not afraid to do all of the things you would never have the guts to do. Like talk to that really hot guy in the back of your seminary class. Or get out into the middle of the floor and dance when you don't have the guts. You get to stand to the side and benefit vicariously. And Laurie has a heart of gold. She makes me dinner sometimes, and takes my kids away when they are driving me nuts, and unselfishly gives me all of her zofran. Does it get any better?

Caryn at http://becknewsaz.blogspot.com/- Caryn was nice enough to take all of us on her European cruise with her. I thoroughly enjoyed going to Greece, France, Italy, etc. Her pictures were even helpful in explaining the origins of the Olympics to Rachael. What a great trip! I get to play bunco with Caryn, and she is always good enough to liven things up. (yes, she is the one that started hitting the table and making the dice jump, adding a whole new element to the game.) Fun times!

Holly at http://hollysfavoritethings.blogspot.com/ This is a purely spiritual blog. Holly has taken to heart the quote I have on the side of my blog quoting elder Ballard. She has amazing spiritual insight for someone so young, and I always love to hear what she has to say. I also love her other blog that keeps us updated on her little family. She and her husband lived in our ward until recently, and you can't help but like this quirky couple.

Marcie and Holly at http://bsbbabes.blogspot.com/. These are two happenin' single chicks who are nice enough to let us into their lives. Their family lived in our old ward, and I have always been impressed by them. They all really love each other, and are such selfless and fabulous people. Their family means everything to them, but they know how to have a good time! I even had the good fortune to sit near them at a Jimmy concert a while back. Keep having fun, girls!

The seventh and last honor is going to have to go to my whole family. But just the ones nice enough to have blogs! It is so nice to have a little more insight into their lives, and be able to catch up with their families. Even the ones that live less than a mile away keep me better updated by their blogs. I love being able to see pictures and videos of events I was unable to attend. And I have one SIL whom I have gotten to know better in the last couple of weeks through her blog than I have in all the years she has been married to my husband's brother! She is a great girl. And of course all of my cousins that I haven't seen in years. Thanks, all of you, for letting us into your lives!

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for, my acceptance speech:
First of all, I would like to thank the unruly fetus who has been with me almost from the beginning of this blogging journey, though I didn't know she was there until a while later. Thank you for making me so sick, and crampy, and uncomfortable that I barely have a life away from my computer. And for giving me enough to complain about to keep my blog real. I'd like to thank my husband for giving me free reign over my computer, and using his laptop when he has work to get done. And my children for realizing that this box is really mine, and they may only use it when I have no desire to. Thank you to all of you bloggers who make blogging fun by posting interesting, hilarious, or worthwhile things. You have helped keep me sane during this fun time. Well, kind of sane;) And those of you who feed my crack/blog habit by posting comments. Thank you, thank you all..;)

Oops!

I just noticed that the button leading to donation information does not show up on Google Reader. This was really the purpose of my last post. So, if you have any desire to see how to help this family, you will have to go to my actual blog to click the button. Or use the link to visit Stephanie's sister's blog. She gives info on other ways to help as well.

I don't know how to make it show up on Google Reader. Thanks!

A Sweet Family in Need

I have really been debating whether or not to post about this. I don't even know the family personally.

The instructor involved who died in the plane crash was in our stake and his daughter goes to school with Rachael. We know that he was a good man, and has a great family. we couldn't help but feel for his family. Because of this, I looked up the other family involved.

Their names are Stephanie and Christian Nielson. They are a cute young couple with 4 young children. You have probably seen them on the news. I have been keeping up with their progress through her sister's blog at

http://blog.cjanerun.com/

You can't hear their story or read Stephanie's blog without being struck by what a sweet family they must be. Our hearts go out to them, their kids, and their families who will be helping them for a very long time.

Even though I don't know them personally, I thought it wouldn't hurt to put their button on my blog. Just in case any of you were touched by their situation and would like to know how to help.

Our thoughts and prayers are with both of these sweet families. I know that is what they need most.

What decade?

You Belong in 1987

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

This doesn't really surprise me. How can anyone resist John Cusick in Say Anything. Or 80's rock. I was a child in the 80's. I wonder if my kids will always love what they love now, like I will always love my childhood culture?

I've been tagged!

O.K, I know this is late. A couple of weeks ago I got tagged by my friend Mandy. But for some reason it seemed like a daunting proposition! Difficult questions, I guess, and my pregnant brain can't tackle them well. So cut me some slack. In a few months, the answers could be totally different. Here goes:

How To Play This Game of Tag:

Post these rules on your blog. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!

3 joys:
1. My kids. especially my toddler's laugh. Right now when I feel so cruddy most of the time, I feel like her sole purpose in life may be to make me laugh. She is always saying funny things in her cute little toddler voice. Or doing something silly out of the blue. Or even just striking a yoga pose in the middle of the room for no good reason. Example: the other day, we were having family prayer. So we were all sitting around with our arms folded, heads bowed, waiting for Bren to get ready so we could start. We are all looking at her and waiting. She looks back at us and starts bocking. You know, like a chicken. "bock bock!" It was like she figured, if everyone is going to look at me I might as well give them something to look at! Goofy girl.
2. learning new things. I love to learn . I love to read about history. I love to read about politics. I love to read about places I have never been. I love to learn about anything I didn't know before. I am amazed by what fascinates me. I am not really happy unless I have learned something new every day.
3. The gospel. If I tried to list all of the good things I have in my life because of the gospel, I would have to write a book. I don't know how I could raise my children or face my challenges without the gospel in my life and the knowledge and comfort it brings me.

3 fears
1. That I may be ruining my children. That they will hate me when they are older because of something I am doing or not doing. I know that the plan revolves around free agency, and their fate is really up to them, but I worry that I am not the best example. I worry that they will come back to me and say they wish I was more this or less that. That I am not giving them everything they need. And they will need years of therapy as adults;)
2. That I have hurt some one's feelings without knowing it. I am afraid I can be more abrasive than I think I am. I am afraid I could lose friends without knowing why.
3. scorpions;)

3. goals:
1. To have family prayer and scripture study every day. We are not at 100% right now. And Family Home Evening.
2. To go back to school. I know it will be a lot more expensive now that Wendell doesn't work at UOP anymore. But I think it is worth it.
3. To work my way back into my regular exercises routine. I realize this will likely happen AFTER the baby is born. But I keep thinking I can start working my way up right now. I could at least be doing some yoga! My gym membership is sadly underused. Yet I won't put it on hold in case I start feeling wonderful tomorrow. Well, you never know!
3 current obsessions/ collections
1. redoing my bedroom. I decided to redo my bedroom about two years ago. I started buying things in the new color palate, and getting things planned the way I wanted. I told myself I would repaint and get it finished as soon as I got my bedroom organized the way I wanted it. Now I have everything I need, and it has been two years. It is still the messiest, most disorganized room in the house. Now I have it in my head that if I don't get it done before this baby gets here, I will have a nervous breakdown. I will. I have a hard time getting anything done, especially something I haven't been able to accomplish in the last two years. But I am chipping away at it. And hoping when I am done removing clutter and getting things organized, I will have help painting my room and bathroom, and will be able to get it all done. If I have to look at these mustard yellow walls while I am dealing with a new born, I will lose it.
2. Acquiring cute baby girl clothes. In my head, the only thing that will make it O.K to have yet another girl will be being able to dress her dang cute. Thanks to my lovely SIL and a good friend, I am on my way. There is just one stash left I have my eye on. I have been a little obsessive about this stash, as some of you know. And I need some really cute bows and jewelry.
3. Wendell says I am obsessed with blogs.

3 facts about me:
1. I grew up one of 11 kids. Most of us still live around here.
2. When I am upset I use Jane Austen as therapy. If you hear the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice playing in the background, I am using it to calm myself. Nothing is more reassuring than a British accent and subtle 19th century humor. If it gets really bad, I start rereading all of her novels.
3. I am not naturally creative, but I love to create things. This leads to a lot of copying. I copy scrapbook layouts. Other people's craft ideas. baby paraphernalia. You name it. I am a copier.

Well, that is probably more than you wanted to know, and more than I wanted to tell you. But that is kind of the point, I think.

Now I am tagging Laura, Robyn, Dani, Shelli,and Rhonda. And anyone else who wants to do it, feel free;)

More Beach Pics!