Mindy

Today was Mindy's 10th birthday. I can always remember how long we have lived in Brentwood because she was born just a little over a month after we moved here.

Mindy was a much easier baby than either of the boys. She loved to sit in her swing and listen to Enya or classical music. As long as the music was playing she would happily rest. She spent a lot of time hiding out in our room, away from the boys.

Mindy is a quiet girl. She does not like to be the center of attention, esp. in school or at church. The first time she had to give a talk in Primary we had to work very hard to bribe her. She is not easy to bribe. Once she makes up her mind she is very resolute and determined. If there is something she does not want to do, she is very good at sweet talking her way out of it. In kindergarten she refused to participate in sharing. Her teacher decided to have a mandatory sharing day, just so she could get Mindy to actually talk in front of the class.

In our family Mindy is like the little mommy. She is very helpful, especially with her younger sisters. She is almost always willing to play with them and help them. She will usually do anything she is asked to do.

Mindy also has a great passion for reading. There have been many times when the biggest mess in her room was from all the books. Mindy actually strives to keep her room clean. She is the only one of the kids who picked up on, and seemed to get, the idea of just 5 mins. a day will keep it clean, (of course, we do need to do a bit of work on the closet and animal pile).

Mindy is the one who started the decorating your own birthday cake a few years ago. After Sandra's crunchy cake, she decided to take it easy on the sprinkles.

There is a reason all the candles are so close. For a few years, she wouldn't let there be candles on her cakes. She didn't want everyone watching her while she tried to blow them out. This year she finally put candles on, all close together hoping that would make it easy. (Notice the huge flame, we didn't even have to light some of them, they just started on their own.) It took her a few tries to get that big fire out, it actually was funny, as she blew, a few would go out, then relight from the rest of the flame.

This is probably her most exciting present. She has been wanting one for a long time. Kyle and Travis got this for her.

Mindy is a great girl. We are so lucky to have her as a part of our family.