Hi There. I’m Cindy. Let me tell you a little bit about me.
14 Kids?!? What the...That’s usually the reaction I get when I tell people I have 13 siblings. But true, I am from a large family! Never a dull (or quiet) moment growing up! I was 10th in the line up-so I learned a lot of skills-like hard work and making your voice heard (by being louder than the next person). We had a lot of fun and I’ve always loved being around people especially kids (42 grand kids).
Teach Me! Well-I guess I always wanted to be a teacher. I used to pretend to teach my siblings and I’d use my closet as a chalkboard. Choosing a degree was easy! I graduated in Elementary Education. I taught 4th grade for a few years until I was married and pregnant with my first child. It was a very difficult thing to tell my principal that I had always wanted to be a mom and wanted to stay home and take care of my kids. Teaching skills have come in very handy raising kids!
2+3=5 The first time my husband and I met was on a double date. He was dating one of my best friends. The 2nd time (7 years later) his brother was going to set us up but we met at a dance the night before. Timing is everything! We were married the following year. Being from a big family, I really wanted 8 kids, but God knows what is best for each of us. I was around kids my whole life, but then I had one of my own. Yikes! I was surprised how much work kids are! We stuck with it and the 5 of us have had a very fun-filled, happy life together. We love exploring new places, being outdoors, having pun wars, and just goofing off together.
CHANGES-In thinking about what to share about me, I feel like the last few years have really been a time of reflection and big changes for me. There has been a lot of fasting and prayer to get me to where I am today. I know that the Lord is aware of my progress and is helping me get where I need to be. None of these changes came easily or quickly. I’ve found that as I do the little things daily, that the Lord helps me fill in the gaps.
Spiritually-This had to be the first change I needed to go through. I was in a funk. I felt like I was just coasting through life, almost numb to life. I had this constant thought of things I could do to improve, so slowly I implemented the changes…study the scriptures consistently-individually and as a family, pray more, fast with purpose, attend the temple more frequently, serve more. I really had to give my life to God and trust His ways. Increased work on my part has led to some amazing spiritual blessings! Seeing the difference between right/wrong and good/evil is so much clearer to me now. I am receiving clear personal guidance and support through the Holy Ghost. I feel peace and joy. I am gaining strength for times when I fall-to be able to get back up again and keep going.
EXERCISE-Yes-everyone’s favorite thing! I knew I needed to do it, but it was such a difficult thing for me to be consistent. I live in an area where we have neighborhood aerobics 3 times a week as well as some organized women’s sports-like futsol and basketball. That helped me some, but I really wasn’t consistent. I got a FitBit to get 10,000 steps in. But even that was hard. Then I got the 21 Day Fix series. She mentioned in a workout that if you work out for 21 days, you’ll begin to form habits. I had a close friend come workout with me and she got me through it. Another friend certified to be a High Fitness instructor and teaches classes in her home. I try to go to those now twice a week. I’m slowly improving my stamina-as I continue to workout and have better health. I noticed when I went with my husband to play racquetball this week that I was able to play the entire time and not get tired. I used to go 20 minutes and need to rest. Baby steps are making a difference. Also, when the weather is nice my husband and I will go for a walk . Sometimes I even try to not take the closest parking spot so I can walk a few steps more! I definitely have more energy now!
CHEMICALS-What chemicals are in your home? My dad has Parkinson’s and he swears that the spray from the fruit trees caused his disease. There are so many studies out there about how certain chemicals cause cancers, illnesses, brain diseases, and can absorb into your skin or you can breathe them in. Chemicals can cause so many problems. So I became a consultant for a chemical free cleaning company and have started a giant overhaul of all of my cleaning/beauty products in my home. I have noticed a big difference in our overall health. I’ve replaced almost every harmful chemical in my home. I’m learning that ‘clean’ doesn’t have a smell, that you can clean without any harmful chemicals, clean faster and better, and I am even learning how to make a positive impact on the environment. BONUS! I have seen a difference in my family’s health! My husband can breathe at night now-(his allergies are awful). We haven’t been sick nearly at all in the last 2 years, and everything just has a little more sparkle (when I clean it-Yes you still have to do that part)!
Food Glorious Food! I remember dating a guy once and I asked him if he would ‘live to eat or eat to live’-he said, “Eat to live”. I knew I couldn’t marry him since I love food! I have 7 older brothers and I was blessed with a super high metabolism (until I got older)! I loved to compete with the boys to see how much I could eat-and I could really eat anything and everything. I thought I could eat whatever I wanted and just out exercise my eating habits…well, that that doesn’t always work. I’ve been trying to figure out better eating habits for a few years now. I had a friend who challenged me to a healthy eating duel. That worked for a few months-but then the holidays would come or life would happen. Not to mention my busy life led to quick, processed frozen foods or a quick fast food stop. I went to the doctor last year and I was Pre-diabetic and all the sugary products I was eating were killing my liver function…Yikes! I had no idea food could do all that! I started reading books about how eating impacts your organs and body function.
One interesting book talked about how you can reverse brain digression and forgetfulness by what you eat. This was shortly after I went to visit my aunt in the memory loss unit. It really hit home-I don’t want to lose my mind! My health was suffering! I knew I needed to change my eating habits, but how? Some friends from the High Fitness class told me about an eating program they were doing that they loved called Clean Simple Eats. Basically, you pay for the recipes quarterly (Which the recipe book has healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks options). After the first month, I felt like a different person! I just felt better! You don’t realize how bad you feel after eating junk or large quantities of food until the stomach pains are gone. I’ve actually lost inches in my stomach area, but for me it isn’t about how I look, rather how I feel. I really do feel better. I’m not starving all of the time-and trust me I get HANGRY! This has been a lifesaver for me.
Mental Growth…Sometimes being home all day doing the repetitive chores leaves me feeling like my mind isn’t being challenged enough. I tried listening to books online but most were fluff only. I think this is the last step of my process to a more complete life. Are you continuing to learn, grow and challenge yourself? I listened to The Millionaire Messenger by Brendon Burchard. It changed my life! This is why I’m here and why I’m doing this blog! I am studying lots about motherhood, child development as well as blog design and even plugins! I am definitely being mentally challenged by this blog and I love it!
I am discovering now that God has even more in store for me… so in the last few months I started a professional home organizing company called HELP ME ORGANIZE and I’m now a board member on this amazing new non-profit organization, called Momivate. Organizing and helping moms be even better! Two things I am very passionate about!
What I want most from you to get out of this? I hope that you will take ideas from my site and make them your own. Don’t feel bad about all the things in the past or worry about your future. Pick one small thing that you would like to change about your life-and do it today! I am proof that you can change, improve, learn, and grow!