If you can't tell, I have avoided posting about Cindy's wedding. There are several reasons why... one is because the only pictures I have are from my phone (and they are terrible quality) another is because I just don't have the words.. (shocker, right?) But I must say something today- because it's her birthday. She turned 21 and is the sweetest, most mature 21 year old I know.
I vividly remember the Saturday she was born. My mom went into labor the night before and I could hardly sleep. I woke up several times, praying with might that she was girl. I was ten years old and had three little brothers... they were cute and all, but they weren't a baby sister. And I wanted one so badly. My oldest brother (who was 18 at the time and in charge of us while my parents were at the hospital) came into my room early in the morning with an announcement: "It's a BOY!" I asked him several times if he was teasing me and when he insisted he wasn't, I started crying. After a few minutes, he felt bad and told me that mom finally had a girl. I wanted to punch him, but I was so excited that all I could do was run around and hug everyone in the house. (I wish I had old pictures to scan in of that day... I still remember what I was wearing!)
My dad came to pick us up and take us back to the hospital to see my mom. I remember getting my money together so I could pick out something special for my new sister. I bought her a cute little stuffed animal that said, "It's a girl" and proudly gave it to her when I entered the hospital room. She was the sweetest (skinniest) little thing and hasn't changed a bit in 21 years. (one reason I like to call her
Thinny..)
I have always been so proud of Cindy. None of my friends mom's were having babies still, so I felt pretty cool to bring her around with me. I would often play house with her and pretend she was my real baby... I would beg my mom to let me take her to my friends' houses to play. There came a time when Cindy was about 8-9 months old that she wouldn't go to anyone else but me. I distinctly remember my mom trying to take Cindy away from me, but she wouldn't have it. She turned away from my mom and stuck her face right into my neck and I beamed back at my mom. She was a real "kid sister" doll that loved me just as much as I loved her!
Cindy was the first person in my family to meet my husband. She was 9 years old and drove up with me to Rexburg for a week of college. (I am not sure why my parents let me do that!) One afternoon in between classes, Cindy and I were watching Calamity Jane in my apartment. This tall, goofy guy named Aaron came over to visit and Cindy liked him right away. After he left, I kept asking why she was laughing so much and she told me that he was making faces behind my back. Interesting that he still does it (and our 9 year old loves it too!)
It didn't take Cindy long to grow up. She is mature beyond her years and quickly became "one of the girls". She is not just my little sister, but a dear friend. Being the youngest of ten children, one might think she would turn out spoiled, but she is quite the opposite. She is caring, understanding, always willing to lend a hand, never says a bad word about anyone, honest in everything she does, and just so nice. She lived with us for 4 months this past summer and never once did I get annoyed by her or wish her away. I cherished the time we were able to spend together and knew it wouldn't last long.
I can't believe how quickly it flew by. Ben said to me the other day, "Mom, it kind seems like Cindy only lived with us for one week." Which is exactly how I feel. I miss her and have a really hard time reading back on any of my blog entries that Cindy was a part of. They make me cry... not because I wish she lived with us still but because she's gone and grown up. She's a wife now! She has started a family of her own and I am so proud of her and the man that she chose to spend her life with! He is kind, respectful, handsome and just the sort of man she deserves...
Our family has a tradition of telling stories about the bride or groom on the day they get married. At their dinner or luncheon, we stand and give a "roast" type of tribute to our sibling.. we share embarrassing stories to introduce them to their in-laws. The previous three weddings were awesome with my younger brothers.. But when it came time to tell stories about Cindy, not ONE of us could think of a single bad thing to say. We each stood up, one by one, and complimented her and told her what a DOLL she has been her whole life. It was truly amazing that no one could rat her out. She is a sweet ending to our family and we wouldn't be the same without her!
Cindy's birthday blog can be found
HERE. You won't be surprise to know that everyone who knows her well loves her to pieces and thinks she is the sweetest thing EVER.. because she is. Happy birthday, Lou! You are the very little sister I prayed for 21 years ago!
(at the end of a very beautiful snowy day in December)
not this cute anymore!
I know I shouldn't encourage such behavior in my home, but when thinking about activities that ZACK would want to do, I knew this would be at the top of the list. (believe me, I know my child!) He was so excited to strip down, that his clothes were off before I could say Calvin Klein. He asked if he could keep his socks on and I said, "Of course you can. It's your birthday week." And so he jumped and squealed and I took a few pictures. (this top pose looks like he has only one midget sized arm!)
The boys reviewed the pictures and gave me permission to post them.. although they don't really understand what that actually means. they think this blog is for their grandparents (and it is). While deciding which pictures to post, we laughed our guts out at two particular shots, where the gravity took a hold of Zack's face. Who knew jumping on the trampoline could age you 50 years?? Maybe you won't think they are as funny as we did, but I will share anyway.
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