in case you're wondering

My photo
if there was every a perfect example of your stereotypic homeschooled Catholic girl- it would not be me. my Faith is my foundation. my family is amazing. my friends are the greatest blessing imaginable. my life is good.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

things you should know

- you can spot my family anywhere, no matter the number of us present. we're all equally loud and rowdy. I apologize for this fact, but at the same time, I don't. Our ability to hug-at-first-sight and spontaneously burst into song make us unique (because having 10 children isn't unique enough...)


- We were/are all homeschooled. I'm not excusing any of my siblings or myself for being controversial, dressed funky, impolite, or socially awkward; I'm giving you the heads-up we potentially can be all of the above at times. Cut us some slack, all we have to base our social lives off of is our crazy parents.


- They didn't grow us small. My sisters and I are all pretty darn thick. Not to a terribly unhealthy state, but lets just say none of us are lil' miniature porcelain doll kinda ladies. I actually like it because we're tougher than your average chica. ;) All of my brothers are gigantic as well. They will all eventually be over 6ft tall. (half of them already are) They make wonderful bodyguards. Hurt me, and your arse is getting whipped (x6).



- Last and not least, all of us are passionately Catholic. My parents raised us right. We all still manage to go to Mass all together, we have 'family prayer' each morning, and we constantly try to build each other up throughout the day. Sometimes its tough, but our Faith is our foundation and we're all striving to make that as visible in the way we live as possible.


- last but not least, I'll say it again - I absolutely and positively love this amazing family I've been abundantly blessed with.





Friday, May 20, 2011

some formal introductions

As I've said before, we're all completely different. I absolutely love every single member of my family. Since you've been keeping up with reading my little perspective blog, I believe it's about time you get a chance to be introduced to each member in my posse of peoples...


Big Papa - My amazing father! Oh my goodness it seriously has brought tears to my eyes when I've taken to time to meditate on the blessing of having such a wonderful daddy. He's nothing but a big kid, but he's always there for me no matter what. He's always strengthening me in my faith. He's always bending over backwards so I can live my life to the fullest. I hope and pray I can someday marry someone as incredible as he is.


Miss Lady - that woman who waddles around (because she's due in a month!) and pours herself out for me and my sibs. The best part about my mom is over the years, she hasn't just been my mom, she's become one of my best friends and we tell each other everything. Even though she'll admit any day that motherhood is tough stuff, she's my role model and inspiration to strive to become a good mom someday.


Stephy - My one and only big brother. I don't mind telling him that he can be an idiot, because he can. But so can I. And he's always there to be that one brave person who will pull me aside and tell me I'm being stupid. He is seriously my best friend in the whole world and I don't know where I'd be without him. He's a passionate lover of God, a total goober, a friggin' giant softy - and when he sees I need a defender to step in, he's ever-ready to rescue me. 


Joey-boy - is the love of my life. He is always always always able to make me smile even on my worst days. He is the most loyal and loving guy you'll ever meet because I can tell him anything about myself and he won't judge me or tell anyone else. Although he's a bit shy, once he's comfortable around you, you'll fall in love with his goofy personality. He is as stubborn as a rock. He gets an idea in his head and no matter how wrong everyone else tells him he is he'll stick with it forever (that makes for one solid Catholic young man)


Ja'Paul - has something to say about everything...oh wait, thats exactly like me. He is a complete sweetheart. The most outgoing person you'll ever meet, he's stolen the hearts of many. Smartest kid in the world as well, particularly with history trivia. I'm a history major with a 3.9 GPA and he still knows more than me. Facts just stick with him. Its pretty amazing. I wish I could just bring him to class with me. Though he gets on my nerves for something or another on a daily basis, he will never cease to amaze me with how compassionate (and once again, friggin' huge) of a brother he is.


Louie - is a total sweetheart. Queen of arts and crafts. Totally kindhearted, she is soft-spoken and completely adorable. I went through a shy stage, and often she reminds me of me when I was her age. She's absolutely fun to tease because she's one of the few siblings who won't slap me for joking around with her. I love watching her grow up as she enters her teenage years and becomes a gorgeous young woman of God.


MARIE! - is a name I holler often. She is my pain in the rear because she knows exactly the right things to say and do to completely drive me up the wall. Most people would look at us and tell me to take a pill and grow up - which I am trying to do so very hard. But Marie is good for me. She is always ready to let me know when I'm doing something wrong, which can be a very good thing most of the time. Every so often we have good days when we joke around and laugh with each other...Praise God those are becoming more common as the years continue (and self-control increases). Underneath all our arguments and bickering, at the end of the day she is my sister - who is a replica of how I acted when I was 11 - and I do love her dearly. 


Philly - is that kid everyone is in love with. Its hard being a little man when you're surrounded by demanding sisters and humongous brothers, but he manages quite well. I truly believe that Phillip will be the next Stephen and have a hoard of girls constantly falling for him left and right because he is just that adorable and amazing. He practices his 'stud muffin' skills on his big sister - half of my stuffed animals are compliments of him. Although his main goal in life right now is along the lines of defeating Bowser in his Mario game, I know he is going to be just as outstanding as his big brothers when he gets older.


Janie-Bug - is a mini-me. She looks and acts exactly like me which brightens my life. Even though she's got a little sassy temper and a classic five-year-old shriek that'll make you cringe, she's also got a huge heart and gives the best hugs in the world. At five, she has such a vocabulary and though she's surrounded by so many people, she has her very own personality that is a fiery attitude complete with daily Sylvester-style impromptu comic routines.


Lil' Pete - is my baby. Not really, but still. He is the most adorable and gorgeous little almost three year old you've ever seen. The terrible twos shine bright with this one but he's also got "youngest of a lot of people" syndrome which includes songs and movie quotes you'd just die if you heard a little one reciting.  He's growing up much too fast for his Godmother to bear, but someday I know he'll be another giant Sylvester boy that everyone will know and adore.


Baby Andrew - well I haven't exactly met this kid yet. But he's going to be a Sylvester...which means he's going to be freaking awesome. (Can't wait to hold you in a month, big man!)


And there you have it. The #2 perspective of the incredible family I have been given. They are simply amazing and I cannot express how thankful I am for each and every one of them :)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

a little Sunday note...


My family is absolutely amazing. Even though seldom does a day go by that I don't get into some sort disagreement with one or two of my siblings (or parents), they are the greatest blessing God has given me.


I have pretty crazy ideas sometimes, but they support me through them. Anything seems more achievable when you have a 10+ cheer squad behind you the whole way.


And they have pulled me through multiple times. No matter the insanity of the situation, from baking chameleon cupcakes to running a week-long drama camp in our house, their reassurance gives me that boost of confidence I need to complete any task.


Not every loopy idea I attempt turns out right. Heck, if I can ruin mac & cheese, I can ruin anything. ;)


then if and when I slip, yes I'm human and tend to blame it on someone else for something pathetic like "you're standing too close to the mirror while I'm doing my hair" or "well you didn't tell me cool whip will melt if you put it on a cake thats still cooling" (idiot ideas may just spring from being an idiot sometimes heehee)


The people standing behind me make me who I am. Every time a sibling tells me that I can do something, it makes me believe 100x more I actually can.


My family is my fan club. My family is by support group. My family is my cheer squad. My family is amazing.




Monday, May 2, 2011

Dearest Stephy...

...yes I'm using your pet name for all the world to see ;)

I miss you dearly. Its been a while since I last got to punch you in the gut in person and I've been longing to do so for no apparent reason...just because I like your reaction.


Life is not all that fun without you around to fight with me over who's driving (even though I am obviously always the better choice) and you're always convenient to have around to pay for my food.


but as great as all that junk is, I really do miss having you around because I can't be a dynamic duo by myself. (believe me, I've tried)


Joey, JP, Phil, Pete, and (very soon to be) Andrew are amazing in their own way, but no one can ever fill the gap of being my 18 month older twin. As often as I feel like you're a complete idiot, in honesty, you complete me.


You're always there to listen to me rant about nonsense. You're always there to be brave enough to tell me I'm wrong even though that means I'll be upset with you for a good little while. You're always there to be my one person who I can tell anything and everything. (even if you never answer your phone...)


I have more pictures with you than anyone. Which is fitting because girls' photo collections normally have the majority with their best friend. Even though you're thousands of miles away, you're the closest friend I've ever had.



18 days until I get to viciously attack you at the airport ;) I cannot wait!! 


all my love, 
M


can't wait to make crazy awesome goofy memories with you this summer!