Happy Birthday, Britt!

Today is the day.  At 5:27am (AM!) 20 years ago, a beautiful 6 lb. 1 oz. (TINY) baby girl joined our young and growing family.  Our first daughter.  You.

You came awfully close to being named Lacy, which was really strange, since it wasn't a name we had ever considered before (or since).  Call it post-partum loss of rational thought on my part.  Thankfully, Dad's persuasive skills came in handy that day.

I could have never imagined fully on that day, what a joy and blessing you would be.

I loved your curly hair, big brown eyes, and cute giggle.  You loved to play with Taylor and his friends, and didn't care much for dolls.  Your favorite toys:  a rocking horse and a bike.  You were a bit of a tom-boy, and didn't like ruffles and frills (yep, Lacy wouldn't have been a good fit).

Then you started school.  My favorite memories:

Mr. Funk's Hillbilly band program

your stress on picture day, and fear of retakes

your impeccable spelling and handwriting

your kindness towards others

As you got older, contacts replaced eye-glasses, and the curls were no longer your favorite look (were they ever?  I would trade you hair any day, you know).  You got highlights.  You took up choir, and marched in the Parade of Lights.  You had your hopes crushed when you tried out for cheerleading and didn't make the team.  You showed strength and determination as you embarked on gymnastics, and ran on the cross country team.

You seemed to skip over most of the drama of middle and high school -- you have an amazing ability to not get caught up in it.  You showed courage as you tried out for cheerleading again, and once you had made the team, worked hard to improve your skills.  You were diligent in your schoolwork, faithful in your religious behavior, a reliable worker, a contributing family member, and a great friend.  

A mother simply couldn't ask for more.

I love you and hope you always remember what an amazing woman you are.  You are blessed with wonderful talents, and the world will be better because of you.  

And, lucky me, I knew you first.

And longest.

Happy 20th Birthday, Britta!

Love, Mom

Six Days of Britt (5)

What does a Father say to his beautiful daughter on the eve of her 20th birthday?  

Memories flood his mind, joy fills his heart, and the words THANK YOU come to mind.

             

THANK YOU for coming into my life as a darling daughter of God, allowing me to feel the love and joy our Heavenly Father feels for all of His children!

THANK YOU for always bringing a smile to my face and for making our home a happy place!

THANK YOU for being a sweet and wonderful child!  One full of curiosity and a desire to learn and grow!

THANK YOU for being a Christlike example to others and allowing me the privilege and honor of baptizing you!

THANK YOU for your wonderful example of diligence, persistence, and dedication as you transitioned from childhood into young womanhood.

THANK YOU for faithfully attending 4 years of early morning seminary, leaving home around 5:45am each morning!  (I continue to be impressed how you existed on limited sleep night after night, regularly  staying up past 11:00 or 12:00 to finish homework that always awaited you after demanding days of cheer, tumbling, work, and participation in Young Women activities were completed.)

THANK YOU for sharing the fun of your High School years with me and your beautiful Mother.

THANK YOU for working hard to achieve key milestones in your life that I know will bring you much success and joy throughout life!

THANK YOU for allowing your parents to demonstrate their love for you in public forums.  (I know how much you love these sandwich kisses, Mom and Dad think they are great too!)

THANK YOU for continuing to live your life in a manner that shows your beauty and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

AND MOST OF ALL THANK YOU for being such a wonderful part of my life, yesterday, today, and always!  Happy 20th birthday Britta!  From your proud, honored, and thankful Father who loves you more than words can express!

Six days of Britt (4)

Okay...

I don't have that many awesome picture at my disposal here at school, nor am I the most creative of the Syddall bunch, but here it goes:

Since I'm the one who has most recently turned twenty in the family, I'm going to fill you in on a few things that will happen on the morning of March 13, 2011...

You won't be a teenager anymore

Your back will ache

You will crave/need foods high in fiber

You will be more cranky than usual

and it is possible that,

Some of your hair will either lose color or fall out

at least...that's what happened to me

I just thought I would prepare you...

I hope that all of your most outrageous dreams come true on your birthday, Britt. You are a spectacular example to me and an especially awesome example to the rest of the girls. I love you so much and wish you the best. Stay sweet sister.

Love: Taylor

Six Days of Britt (3)

Britta,

Throughout my life you have INSPIRED me.

You inspired me (and others) to wear make up...

You inspired me to do cheerleading...

(I look so happy! Haha)

You inspired me to dye my hair darker...

You've inspired me to go to BYU...

And some even say we look like twins...

(I don't see it, but all the ladies at the stores think so hahaha)

You are my 

INSPIRATION, 

and thank you for being the one I've always looked up to. 

You're the best! 

Happy 20th Birthday Britta!

I love you!!!

Love, Lexee

Six Days of Britt (2)

Britta,

We go way back

 So I just thought that I should let you know...

You are an awesome role model

You taught me how to apply my makeup

You have so many great talents

You are so organized and neat

But most importantly, you are an amazing sister

Love You Britta! Happy 20th birthday!

Love Shilo

Six Days of Britt (1)

This Sunday my beautiful oldest daughter will leave her childhood behind, and turn the big 2-0. 
 In commemoration of this momentous occasion, I have asked each member of my family to guest post, as they share their thoughts about their wonderful sister/daughter, Britta.

Day 1 belongs to Mar.

Happy Birthday to my big sister, Britta!

Here is Hannah, you, and me. When you saw us in our twin p.j.s you took a bunch of photos of us, but we wanted you to be in the pictures too. So we hugged you and kissed you while mom took the photo.

Thank you for all the makeovers!  Like when you got Lauren and me all dressed up. We wanted you to take pictures of us in our princess nightgowns (we thought they were soooooo pretty), so you curled my hair, straightened Lauren's hair, and put makeup on us.

I am so glad we had all this time to be together!

This is us on Thanksgiving... when I was done eating like two bites of everything.

Thank you for everything!

You always let me sleep in your bed. (I really miss sleeping with you.)  I am still enjoying your room, bed, closet and bathroom!!

You always made me feel special.

Even when you were with friends.

I loved when you would say "lets take a picture."

This is one of those times when you said that, "but silly."

I hope your 20th Birthday is great! Hey we are a decade apart! That means you were (almost) ten when I was born! I love you so much! 


~Mauri

To My College Kids

I always thought life would be slower, easier, and cheaper once the birdies started leaving the nest.  

I imagined lots of extra time, energy, and cash, and less worries.

Wrong-o.

I love that Taylor and Britta are learning to be responsible, independent adults, but I hate that I don't get to see them much.  I'm happy that they are busy pursuing their education and dreams, but I miss their newly-acquired adult perspectives.  I miss their presence.  And I spend a dang lot of time thinking about them, worrying about them, and praying for their success and well-being.

They've had a few struggles lately.  Taylor can't find a job in his tiny college town, and has resorted to plasma donation... two times a week.

Britta is tired of non-stop schooling (no breaks since 2008, if you count her senior year in high school).
Burned out.  In desperate need of a break.

As I readied myself for church yesterday, I couldn't help thinking about this message:

(It was pure coincidence that this exact message was shared in Relief Society, just hours later.)

So, just in case those awesome kids are in need of encouragement, I felt the need to share.

This weekend's good news:  

Bill helped Tay and Britt with their tax returns, and both will be receiving some much needed moo-lah.  YES!

Bill completed our tax return, and we will be receiving some much needed moo-lah too.

After noticing Tay's dwindled bank accounts, we transferred in a little money for groceries.
The next day he sent us a big thank you, and this:

It does my heart good to know he's got plenty to eat.