Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dear Friends and Family,

As this year comes to an end, I have no brain cells left, so I will just share a few funny stories from us.

PHILLIP- As you may or may not know, Phillip is in LOVE with our dog JACK. He carried Jack down the stairs every night the first two years we had him. As he carried him downstairs, he would give him a "pep talk." Saying things like, "Who's my big strong handsome, boy? You are in charge of security now, Who's my little succulent lover? On and on... this ritual had to stop however, when I would tell him to go outside, and he would go to the top of the stairs and wait to be carried down. I refuse to carry an animal downstairs with 4 legs.

CYNTHIA- Found it really funny that with 3 weeks before the wedding we had no flowers, cake, or caterer and he was asking me when I was going to get the Christmas letter mailed out.

ALEXES- Trying to find one errant eyebrow hair that was painful plucked the center of her eyebrow BALD! She informs me not to worry though, because she can draw in the missing part, and it's on the side her bangs cover most of the time. Hopefully it will be filled in by the wedding.

CHRISTOPHER- One day in the car, I was reminiscing about how excited Phillip was to finally have a son, how he recognized his cry in the hospital before I did, how he would put his sunglasses on him if he thought the TV lights were too bright for his newborn eyes, etc.etc. Christopher says, "I used to be Jack."

LAUREN- Christopher regularly declares that he NEVER wants to get married, he only wants a dog. Well, he also loves Ke$ha and tells me he's going to marry her. One day when he was again saying he was NEVER going to get married, Lauren said, "What about Ke$ha? Or is she your dog?

REBECCA and COREY- regulary make us laugh when they come for dinner. We loved watching Corey's reaction when we played the game "CURSES" and Grandma had to imitate Alexes.
Corey and Rebecca recently celebrated their two year anniversary.

We hope the holidays bring a smile to your faces, as remembering all of you
brings a smile to ours.
xoxo

A Bushel and a Peck

"I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap. A barrel and a heap and I'm talkin' in my sleep about you..." When I was a child, my mom would sing this song often. I also sang it to each of my children, and I look forward to singing it to grandchildren. (No, I am NOT announcing anything.) When all is said and done, I have alot to be grateful for. I should look for these things often.
I feel peace at the temple. I have a family that is healthy. I am loved. I am not alone.
Music. Opportunities to serve. Good friends. Safe and comfortable home. Music. Even though I don't have all the answers, I have the ability to ask, learn, and grow.
For these and many other things, I am grateful.

Going Batty.

The name of this background is "going batty." Seemed fitting.
I haven't blogged for sometime now, (not that I think anyone noticed.) ( ;
Seems like there have been alot of ups and downs. But, if I intend this as my feeble
attempt at journaling, here we go.
Teenagers are hard. Have I said that before? Having four at once is a little daunting at times.
Apparantly they feel my frustration too, as I've been told I'm a "piece of junk." Now, I KNOW this was done in anger, blah blah blah. But I must say, it hasn't inspired me. What does make a good mom? It's SO subjective.
Anyways, we've had so much happening. I finished school, and will try and find a little part time work, in addition to my part time job. I still refuse to "work full time." Phillip is OK with that.
Highlights: Chopped my hair again for Locks of Love.
Lexi graduated and is at NAU this Fall.
Lex got engaged, so she'll be attending UNLV this Spring.
Chris was accepted in the dual credit program so he is attending
Nevada State College. We are so excited for him!
He is 16 and working toward getting his license.
Lauren is doing more babysitting, and has a "pooper scooper" job. We love that she is so responsible. ( :
Phillip and I took THE BEST vacation to Washington DC. It was so incredible to be in our nations capitol and be surrounded by such incredible history. I absolutely LOVED it! I would love to take the kids.
That's enough for now.
xoxo
Cyn

Hard.

I'm in a rut. I seem to be constantly "putting out fires" this summer.
Marriage is hard.
Teenagers are hard.
Am I stating the obvious?
I feel guilty knowing others out there have WAY bigger problems, but still. I'm
in a funk.
xoxo
Cyn

p.s. Don't know what happened to my last post.
It disappeared. Something to do with the "new"
blogger.

June

After school let out in June, I whisked the kids away to Disneyland. Got to catch up with a good friend, and go to Disneyland for 4 glorious days! Heaven. We came back Thursday, Lexi graduated on Friday, and Lauren had her tonsilectomy on Saturday. Chris left for San Diego the following Wednesday for a football tournament. That same day, Phillip and Alexes drove to Flagstaff for Fr. orientation. They then drove to San Diego to catch the rest of Christopher's tournament. THEY WON! The Spartans are the Nat'l. Champs! Then, we blinked and June was gone and July is well underway. We had a great time with company for the Fourth of July. I was able to catch up with a cousin I haven't seen in 20 years and her most adorable daughter Shelby. What. a. doll!!!! It was so fun to have a little one around again. We missed her as soon as she left.
xoxo
Cyn

May Day, May Day...

Man. It just seems like time is FLYING by! May zoomed in and out like that.

Here are the highlights. With a few pics.

1. Lauren received an award for Straight A's.

2. Christopher turned 16 and went on his first date. (I was NOT allowed to take pictures of him and his date, but she is darling. They went to Carrie Underwood.)

3. Alexes graduated from Seminary.

4. Alexes received awards for:

a. High Honors Graduate

b. Honors Diploma

c. Academic Letter

5. Chris was accepted into Nevada State High School which means he will be earning college credit simultaneously with High School credit.

So proud of my kids!

6. I graduated with Straight A's. ( :

7. Phillip and I celebrated 20 years of marriage.

We were able to spend Memorial Day weekend at Brianhead.

What a GREAT way to finish this month.

xoxo

Cyn

Prom.

Mother's Day.

Mother's Day is this weekend. As I have thought about how quickly
the kids are growing, I am reminded of how sweet my memories of
Mother's Day are. Breakfast in bed. The treasures they have made at home, school, and
church. How excited they were to give them to me. As they got a little
older, how the coupons from their "coupon books" began having expiration
dates. Or how Christopher would give me the coupon book, and then later
sneak in to remove the coupons he was having second thoughts on. HA HA!
My kids are funny. I hope you all have a GREAT Mother's Day. I think all
women have a "mother heart". We all mothers in one way or another, whether
or not we have bio children. So, here's to you moms'.!

xoxo
Cyn

Good morning!

This is what we woke up to last Sunday. Lexi is very excited. ( :

So far, so good.

School is going well so far. I passed midterms. ( :
Overall grade: 94.5%
Hooray! (Now to keep it up.)
Wish me luck.

xoxo
Cyn

The List

Here's a list of my 40 good deeds. It was alot of fun.

1. Bought snack for classmate2.Taught a craft class to my Mia Maids3. Helped a classmate study4. Bought Chris and his friend McDonalds5. Gave Chris' friend a ride home from school6. Did Phillip and Lauren's chores7. Gave missionaries water and Powerade8. Let ALexes take my ph...one to work9. Baked cookies and delievered to neighbors10. Gave an overdue apology11. Gathered items for a fundraising garage sale12. Volunteered at a Skilled Care Facility13. Got an immobile patient a drink from the vending machine14. Shared lunch with a classmate who had none15. Wrote thank-you notes to mail16. Donated to a charitable cause17. Suprised a classmate with her favorite treat18. Taking classmates cupcakes19. Gathered grocery carts at the store 20. Taped change to the vending machine 21. Delivered cookies to the firestation 22. Thank you notes to friends.23. Gave a homeless man $$ 24. Took Lauren to the library25. Delivered cookies to the police station26. Consoled a friend 27. Picked up the trash in a neighbor's yard 28. Fed the birds29. Carried Lauren's books in for her 30. Held the door for people (including Lauren) 31. Made "Have a Nice Day" notes and put them on cars32. Got TP for the person stuck without any (Don't you HATE when that happens?)33. Said extra prayers for those I know of in need 34. Gave the dogs bones as an extra treat 35. Left an extra tip on another table in the restaurant 36. Ran to the store to get Phillip new allergy meds 37. Ironed Christopher's clothes 38. Called my mom and told her thanks for giving me life 39. Thanked people for doing good deeds this past week. ( : 40. Left a treat and note in the mailbox for the mailman

The Big 4-0

I was given a paper to fill out about my most memorable birthday. It also asks what my "perfect" birthday would be like. As I thought about past birthdays, a few stood out, but I'm not sure they would be my most memorable. So I thought since this is a "big deal" birthday of sorts, maybe I could make this one memorable. Well, as it turns out it will be in the fact that I will be taking mid-terms. Not exactly what I had in mind. SO my challenge is this. I am going to try and do 40 good deeds between now and my birthday. I have asked friends and family to join with me, and also do a good deed between now and then. If you are reading this, that means you! ( : Do show some love, and leave a comment and let me know what you did.
xoxo
Cyn

Family Traditions

St. Patrick's Day is one of those few "traditions" that we started anew with

our own little family. One year, early on in our marriage I decided to make

a "traditional" Irish dinner of corned beef and cabbage. Phillip thought I was

pretty cool, so of course I continued. I mean who wouldn't when they hear

their husband brag about your cabbage? Who knew? I made these little goodies

for the kiddos this year. We are all pretty lucky.

xoxo

Cyn

Time flies.

Febuary flew by and with it we celebrated lots of good things!
I got some beautiful roses from Phillip for Valentines Day.
We celebrated Corey's 21st birthday. I asked him a bunch of questions, and can't find the paper I wrote the answers on. :/ I can tell you this. He has changed his major to Recreation and Sports Management. They have been married over a year now, and things are great. ( :
We are thankful to have him in our family.
Lauren turned 13! I can't believe my baby is a teenager. She is still playing the oboe, and loves to read. She is learning to draw.
I am one lucky mom.

**3/22/2010

Corey has switched his major back to Psychology, and his birthday pics are on Lexi's camera.

I will upload later. ( :

L*O*V*E

I was fortunate to attend a funeral service for a boy in our previous ward yesterday. He was 16.
The bishop in his remarks gave some interesting counsel. He suggested that we pray for the dead. He went on to say that when we pray for the dead, we are strengthening the links in our family. He also declared that hope is infinite. That even the ones who have passed have hope. They too have hopes for what will happen for them and for us still. When we were in UT for Christmas, mom had a death in her ward, and she mentioned that when the wife of the man who had passed received a blessing, in it was the prayer that "Don" would not be scared or confused about where he was. I thought that was interesting.
I hope everyone can find the peace they so desire.
I am grateful for the restoration.
Happy Valentines Day.
xoxo
Cyn

F*R*I*E*D Brain

Today my brain is fried. I feel like I am always behind.
Took my first test yesterday. Our instructor told us to
study two particular chapters for this test and "residents
rights". Well, she tested on a chapter that was not one of
the two she told us to study. It was in the reading from the
first week though, so shame on me. Ugh.
I want to nap. Not happening. So grateful to only be
working part time though. My brain and reading skills
seem to have slowed down. It takes me longer to do the
reading, etc. than I anticipate.
Good: Test is over
Bad: Will not get scores until next week.
Funny: Lauren's antics at school.
Grateful: I'm not alone.
xoxo
Cyn

Back to School

Well, I did it. I registered for classes, and I start tomorrow. Wanna know what's funny? The first time I went to college I declared "education" as my major. After years and years in the classrooms of my own children, I realized it wasn't for me. However I did NOT remember changing my major to "psychology". I must have lost my mind. Or at least my memory, because when I registered this time, I had no memory of "officially" changing it to psychology. ANYWAY. I will have my CNA by the end of May with heavens help! I'm excited, nervous,
and grateful. I have chatted with a few others in the program with heartbreaking stories. One woman's husband is terminally ill. She is hoping to learn the skills necessary to keep him home until the end, and then able to support her family after he passes. Another hasn't been able to pay her mortgage for 6 months, and has 3 small children. Another woman's husband has been unemployed for 2 years, and she doesn't have much hope of anyone hiring him since he's 59 now. As nervous as I am, I am grateful for the opportunity.
Lucky me!
xoxo
Cyn

Christmas 09

OK. I've stumbled upon the secret to Christmas success. Just spread it out over three days, which is exactly what we did.
Wednesday we did Christmas here with Corey and Becca. i pods, spa kits, and plenty of bath and body works abounded.

Thursday we drove to Utah arriving just in time to have Christmas Eve festivities with the Bailey's. Happily, we got to spend the evening with LOTS of cute kids, their mommies and daddies, and Poppy and Nana. On Friday, we spent the morning with my mom, drove to my brother's house where I FINALLY got to meet a cute niece for the first time! Love that Kelby. I also learned that another cute niece got a new nicname, "Crabigaile". She's adorable too! Lastly, we went to my sisters for Christmas dinner. We had a great weekend, and of course, never had enough time to do and see everyone/all we want, but we were grateful to be there.

xoxo

Cyn