its a love/hate kinda thing

there are things I absolutely love that you may be surprised by, and also things I cannot stand that you might have never guessed. Either way, I decided every so often for your entertainment, I'd compile a short list of things I completely love along with things I absolutely despise...enjoy :)

Things I hate...

#1 - things being unorganized 

call me a hypocrite because often times my own things are out of order, but I absolutely cannot sit down in a room if its not up with my standards of "presentable" in cleanliness. And no, I'm not OCD and always needing everything to be perfect. All I ask for is when I ask to borrow scissors that you're able to actually find them on your desk ;) 

#2 - MILK

I'm not lactose intolerant, I just honestly can't stand the taste/smell/texture of milk. The majority of my siblings love milk and therefore I'm constantly around it as it continues to make my stomach drop every time someone pours him/herself a huge glass of it in the morning. I can put it in my coffee and every once in a while I'm able to tolerate chocolate milk (only if its really cold and has a lot of chocolate...heehee) but aside from that, milk gives me the eebie jeebies. PS. don't lecture me about calcium...I drink calcium enriched orange juice and take calcium vitamins so I'm good ;)

#3 - video games

My siblings adore Mario Cart and Zelda and all those other good titles I care nothing about. Hear me now: my children will not own a video gaming system. Maybe I should tell you of my plans to live out in the country with my homeschooled kids in overalls and straw hats while I milk the cows in my jean jumper. (Hopefully thats hard to picture since its anything but true) I will have normal children, they'll just grow up without believing that their only means of entertainment involves being glued to a screen. Call me a future homeschool mom, but video games stunt imagination. I spent my younger years outside making up countless games with my brothers, yet now I watch my little siblings spend their free time on the weekends playing Twilight Princess and such. Personally, I don't want my kids doing that

#4 - chewing crunchy food with your mouth open

I know this one is a little obnoxious of me BUT IT DRIVES ME INSANE and sends the message that you never learned your basic table manners and have minimal respect for the people around you. The worst case of this (outside of my own home) is a guy who sits behind me in one of my classes who is constantly chomping away on something, making me cringe for those 15mins before class that I'm sitting in my desk...self-control is definitely tested in said scenario.

#5 - Not being in Colorado 

My absolute favorite place in the world. Despite the insane amount of snow, I have full intention of living there someday.

And now that I've complained my head off, I'll lighten the tone of this post with a few of my favorite things...

Things I love...

#1 - collecting movies

I own over 125 movies. Its not that I particularly watch movies all the time, but for some odd reason I really really really like owning them. Mainly so when I do actually make time to sit down and watch one, I'll have multiple choices from every genre. Also because when people tell me they haven't seen something, I can lend to them :)

#2 - getting flowers

I'm a sucker for good old fashion chivalry :) Flowers for an reason and or occasion from anyone make me smile. Although I do hold my self in an "outdoorsy, rough and tough" esteem (though not quite a tomboy), to me there's nothing that secretly makes me happier than a 'just because you're amazing' bouquet of any type. 

#3 - P!nk

yes, she's a horrific role model. yes, she's got the worst attitude imaginable. yes, she has songs that are nasty and terrible. but the majority of her songs are my favorite jam. She's my "I'm angry" music, she's my running music, she's my 'dance party in my room alone' music. I like (most of) her lyrics and her voice. If I was going to blow a tone of money on a concert, it would be to go see her live. Don't hate on me, just come on and come on and come on and raise your glass when I'm coming out so you better get this party started because so what I'm still a rock star ;)

#4 - stuffed animals 

my absolute favorite. There's no particular kind of animal, but just giant fluffy, adorable toys warm my heart (and cover my bed). I actually have a set of bunk beds that belong to me and the top bed is covered in my stuffed animals. For reasons I honestly don't know, any kind of cute stuffed critter fits in with my overwhelming collection. 

#5 - road trips!

they don't happen as often as I would like, but I love love love epic road trips! From going with my friends blasting music in the car to piling up with my family members in the van, traveling any long distance in a vehicle is an adventure to me. hopefully this summer I can satisfy this urge to just hop in the car and go more than a few times. 

So now you've heard it here first - some random yet important little facts about me and my life :) stay beautiful

- #2

Hallelujah!

"Oh death, where is your sting! Oh hell, where is your victory! Oh Church come stand in the light! Our God is not dead! He's alive! HE'S ALIVE!"

Easter - my absolute favorite feast. Not just the feast that my amazing mother prepares for us so well each year, but the spiritual nourishment we're all blessed with over the Triduum. God gives us forty days to prepare, three days to commemorate Christ's passion, then an entire eight days to celebrate the Resurrection - how awesome is that?!

One of the greatest Easter blessing I look forward to is being able to sit down (even if its a short time between video games or bike rides) and have a big Easter Sunday meal with my family. This year at the vigil Mass I was incredibly sad because the fact hit me that my oldest brother wouldn't be home for Easter this year so this was the first time we all wouldn't be together for our big meal.

Yes, I miss my Stephen ;) But it was a wonderful celebration today! I hold every Easter in my heart knowing that the more years that pass, the less of my family I'll be with each Easter.

and the more years that pass, the less fire hazards we'll cause each Easter morning ;)

So even though I may not always seem to want to be around my family, I certainly do cherish the time when we're all together to commemorate the highest feast of our Church. Today I was especially blessed to be able to celebrate Easter with both my family and then again with the family of one of my best friends (although, even though doubly blessed, I still missed Stephen a good heck of a lot today) 

God is so glorious. I hope and pray all of you have a blessed and beautiful Easter.

HE IS RISEN!

my miniature knight

So there's this guy....

And he's kinda sorta the most adorable little man you'll ever meet. 

My little brother, Pete, is my godson. Although the majority of the time, he is mistaken for simply being my son. You get used to it after a while. 

Some days, he can't stand the sight of me. The days that I don't let him go outside by himself. (being as we live next to a church parking lot and God love the little old church ladies but they aren't looking out for little people as they leave Adoration...) The days that I 'force' him to wear shoes. The days I won't let him catch every. single. bug. outside the church because they're all the same ones we already caught yesterday. The days I inform him he can't have 7 glasses of chocolate milk - those are the days we are enemies. 

Those are the days that absolutely break my heart even though I know deep down I'm honestly always looking out for what's best for him. But there are also the days that I'm his favorite person in the entire world. The days when he comes running from the other side of the house to see me when I get home. The mornings he comes into my room and cuddles up in bed with me (and tells me its "still too early") - those are the days and moments that keep me going.

Even though he doesn't look up to me as much as he would if I were an older brother, I know he still does look to me. I try so very hard (even though I fail miserably so often) to be a good example for him. Simple things like being nice to his siblings. Since I'm the oldest living at home I know I'm the one he's looking at for an example of how to act....

I am absolutely in love with this kid. Yes he's in the midst of being a rebellious almost three year old, but he's adorable. He'll be so interesting and fun to watch grow up because he has so many other personalities influencing him as he matures. Even though he's not even three, he's already shown an exuberant individuality.

Everything he does is precious to me. I am so guilty of smiling/giggling whenever he's crying obnoxiously over something insignificant. When he explained to me the other day about how a lizard had bit him, I couldn't hold in my laughter. I  can't help myself not crack a smile...I love this kid too much to be contained.

"Whoa Daddy! Joe and John Paul are two BIG guys!"

"Are you going to be a big guy someday?"

"Oooooh yeah!"

So there's this guy.....named Peter Xavier. 

and he's kinda sorta stolen my heart :)

pop pop pop

Fridays are my favorite. 

Last summer, my parents decided to initiate 'family movie night' - each Friday, we don't make any plans so we can all get together and watch a movie.

When my parents first informed us of this newly formed ritual, I thought it was the dumbest idea ever. I was a teenage girl with these things called friends who were waaaay cooler and the last thing I wanted to tell anyone who asked me to do something on a Friday night was "sorry I can't because I'm watching a movie with my family." (yes, even after homeschooling all through highschool I still ended up with some modern teenage perspectives in life)

The first few Fridays we unpleasant. Siblings would be shushing each other during the movie and arguing over who would sit where and all I wanted to do was get up and go somewhere "more fun" with my friends. My parents did bend and let my start inviting a friend or two over to come which made my Fridays a little more bearable.  

The popcorn did help. My dad has had a popcorn maker (one of those that look like an alien ship) since before he met my mom - so we make it the fun way. Each person gets their own bowl and dresses it with as much salt and butter as they want (popcorn for dinner....nothing wrong with that teehee)

But I still had a bad attitude toward my Friday nights. I would beg my parents to let me out of this new tradition almost every week. The weeks they guilted me into staying, I would be certain to have plans to leave or have people come over the moment the movie was over. 

Then one fateful night, after twiddling my thumbs during the entirety of Kung Fu Panda, I spend off to a party at a friend's house. When I walked inside, I apologized for being late.

"Giiirl, where were you at?"

"Oh sorry I'm late. We have Family Movie Night on Fridays. Its dorky. We don't make plans and all sit down to watch a movie together."

"...wow. I wished my family did that."

My heart dropped. I couldn't believe myself. My family actually loved each other enough to all come together with our busy lives and sit down to enjoy each others company with a family flick. It wasn't about who was picking the movie, or how awesome the popcorn tasted, or who got to drink the last Buffalo Rock, it was about communion. That coming together in love that so many families long for yet I was completely taking for granted. 

Since that night, I look forward to Friday nights. I still sometimes have friends come or make plans after, but I'm always sad when I have to miss it for any reason. As growing up becomes more a reality, I realize I won't be able to sit with them even for two hours on the weekend for much longer. So now, I intend to take in all the blessings and memories as I possibly can :)

you would think with the same last name

If I had a dollar for every time people told me I sound exactly like my mother or my sisters look exactly like me, I would have a lot of dollars. 
Yes we all look alike. But even though we all have lived together for so long, we are all completely different personalities all crammed into a TLC-worthy household. Never a dull moment. 

one Sylvester "collects collections"

So yes, every single one of us is completely original. My sisters are carbon copies of me physically, but personality-wise...so very different. Just by the way each of us arrange our desks and rooms. Which kids make their beds every single morning. What daily routines we have. 

one Sylvester has a personal armory???

Some of us spend 20 minutes doing our hair and makeup while others spend 20 minutes brushing and flossing their teeth. Some of us wear unique and colorful outfits daily. Some of us could wear the same outfit every single day. 

one Sylvester likes his/her cookies ;)

There are certain children who are incredibly possessive about their toys (and sweet treats). There are Sylvesters who are perfectly comfortable letting siblings use any of their precious possessions. Some of us are right down the middle depending on the object. Some of need to know every single detail of every single situation. Some of us could care less.

#2 has too many movies...

Some of us collect one strange type of thing (#2 has over 100 movies to her name). Some of us have decided to just collect EVERYTHING. Some of us build. Most of us destroy :P Some of us wake up early. Some of us decide we don't need sleep. Some of us could drink an entire gallon of milk everyday. Some of us can't stand the sight of milk.

couldn't leave my own desk out :)

None of us have the same favorite food. None of us have the same favorite movie. If you asked each one of us what his/her favorite thing to do on the weekend is you would get 10 different answers. 

But even though no two of us are alike... 

and some days all we can do to tolerate each other is avoiding one another...

I thank God each and every day for the absolutely incredible family He has blessed me with even though I definitely do not deserve such a wonderful and loving Catholic home.

you are my...

...sunshine!
absolutely magically goodness. In movies we always note how as soon as there's a depressing scene, the weather suddenly changes to overcast and rainy. Have you ever noticed how the weather actually does effect our moods? For example: yesterday the weather was overcast and I had some drudgy feeling all day I couldn't shake. On the other hand, today was absolutely GORGEOUS - 85 and sunny. perfectly southern sunshine day. and yes, I do believe my fantastic mood today was influenced by such good weather. 

Goodness we had fun today. A large portion of the clan went down to Fish River to kayak. Quite the adventure. I will admit, my siblings are not what you would call outdoorsy so I was anxiously awaiting their reaction to the whole idea of hopping into a plastic boat and paddling down waters infested with gators and bugs and fish - oh my! (though thankfully we didn't dramatically encounter any of the above)

they all took to the water just fine :) we packed a lunch and went upstream for about an hour then stopped under a bridge to eat some lunch...sadly one of the sandwiches didn't survive the journey there.

"hey dad! this is my first time eating a pancake sitting in a kayak under a bridge with real cars on it!"

Sooo...you've done so under a bridge with fake cars? And I think its absolutely adorable that Mario Cart packed leftover breakfast because he didn't want to make pb&j. 

and so, a good time was had by all. can't wait to go again :)

shaking things up a bit

So I discovered the truth....my entire family is soooo much more interesting then just me :) Thus, this blog will further more be dedicated to the insanity that I love known as family. welcome to the insider's opinion. 
My goal is going to be actually updating my blog the majority of the days a week. Stories from behind the closed (and bolted shut because Peter has recently discovered how to unlock the door so he can go outside and search for frogs) doors of my home are so much more exciting then the rants of my flaws and fascinations in life. I may complain about an inability to clean a bathroom, I may post pictures of family adventures, or sometimes I may just leave you with some overheard dialogue. who knows? 
so buckle up, sit tight, keep your hands and arms inside the 15 passenger Sprinter at all times, and here we go!!


This morning, Jane (5) decided over breakfast that she wants a dog. 
so my chihuahua just transformed into an oversized, fluffy rat? My poor mother almost choked. I will admit, I am a terrible pet owner. Though Mr. Darcey is technically my dog, he really is the family pet (aside from our cat we've had for 6 years that no one believes in) Sometimes it may seem not too clear who Darcey actually calls 'owner', so let me assist your understanding of the matter:
"Our dog is Mr. Darcey. He's adorable."
"MaryC, your dog pooped in the living room."
I see how it is :P 
So yes, even though Darc is mine, I tend to leave the taking care of him to everyone else especially now that I'm away at school the majority of the time. But alas, pets are always more exciting when you don't have them. Therefore, this morning's dialogue makes the front page of this post today:
Janie: "Mom. Can I please get a dog?"
Miss Lady: "We already have a dog. And you're getting a new baby brother in just a few months."
Janie: "ugh. I don't want a baby brother. I want a dog."

We could always just change Andrew's name to Butch then everyone's happy :) 


yet another reason why I love my family 

Love Has Come - Matt Maher

With one voice the Angels sing;

songs that make creation ring

Prophets hear and call us 

to live in spirit and in truth

Father Yahweh, Elohim;
voice of thunder, spirit wind
Breathe on me your very life;
Grace will make the darkness bright

God of covenant divine,
lead us to the end of time
Beyond sorrow, beyond fear;
beyond pride and earthen tears

Keeper of the sacrifice,
manifest in Jesus Christ
Born to die and wake the dead
As we hunger, keep us fed

Now salvation has come
in the New Jerusalem
Dancers dance and singers roar;
proclaiming Jesus Christ is Lord

Word of God enthroned,
dwell in us forevermore;
Love has come to show the way
Halleluiah, peace be with us
Love has come to show the way