so long sweet summertime

I have a confession to make...I'm selfish. 

If you did not know this by now, you probably don't know me very well ;)

I had full intentions all last week to spend Saturday pampering myself (because going to Orlando and treating myself to friends, fun, and Disney World is soooo not self-indulgence). I planned on getting my nails done, shopping a bit, and watching a sappy chick-flick. All of this would be made possible because my family would be two hours away on a parish family pool trip - oh yes. I was looking forward to Saturday. 

Well much to my dismay, on Friday evening Miss Lady asked me to be the chauffeur for Saturday's pool trip. 

I. did. not. want. to. go. 

I had already planned my entire day! The last thing I wanted to do was spend my pamper day chasing little siblings around a public pool while sporting my freshman fifteen in a swimsuit. Oh yeah - that's every college kid's dream weekend. 

And now for my favorite part...the part where I take a deep breath and suck it up. When I finally chill out, remember the giant yellow sticker on the back of my car that reads "it's not about me", and then my mind is determined to have a fantastic time.

The entire family had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect, food was delicious, and the pool was gorgeous. By noon, I had forgotten about my selfish day plans and was more than happy splashing around with Peter, then taking a little nap holding a sleeping Andrew.

I may be selfish sometimes, but the days that I choose my family over myself always reveal themselves to be infinitely better then the ones I plan for myself.

its been a while

please excuse my absence. I've been adventuring through life with absolutely no time to sit down long enough to update you. So I apologize to all my faithful followers...

After going to see the midnight premiere of the final Harry Potter, I left early in the morning to chaperone our annual youth group retreat. The retreat was truly beautiful and I was blessed to be able to witness so many young people's hearts being change by God. 

After a weekend conference in Atlanta, we packed up the bus and drove on to the Ocoee River in TN to take some time to process how God revealed Himself over the weekend (and go white-water rafting, of course)

About thirty minutes after getting home, I was in the car on my way to visit one of my dearest friends in Orlando...apparently I subconsciously enjoy being overtly busy. 

Disney World was, of course, incredible. I can now say I'm the only Sylvester child who has been. As fun of a fact as that is, I do indeed feel rather selfish and guilty for going without them. Each time I saw a character in a parade or went on a ride, I was thinking in the back of my mind about which sibling would  have also enjoyed that specific venture.

So after a week and a half of being absent from my household on my grand escapade, I was welcomed home with a shower of little hugs and kisses. As exciting as living on a hotel floor, a cabin in the woods, and a little apartment was, coming home to my crazy, loud family reminded me where I truly belong :)

short, sweet, and simple

I'm about to disappear for a while...be on the look out for me ;)

 but I promise to be back soon with fantastic posts about my incredibly blessed life

now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to dye my hair purple.

because you only live once.

therefore, live to the fullest.

peace,

 #2

boom boom pow

It was a packed holiday weekend. 

I spent Friday kayaking and dancing the night away in Call of Duty boxers (don't ask), Saturday I was in Mobile until the wee hours, Sunday I spent down at the bay, and Monday I relaxed at the beach. 

So needless to say when I got home the last thing in the world I wanted to do was go down to the pier, fight off tourists and bugs so I could sweat through a fireworks show.

But I felt guilty since I had not been home all weekend, so I grudgingly tagged along.

Miss Lady has stayed home with the little ones and Big Papa still had to go find a place among the 2000 other people there where he could park our big red bus, so #2 here was placed on "keep everyone together and find a decent spot to plant the posse."

We found ourselves a nice little place down by the water....an hour before the "boom! oooh! pow! ooooh!" was supposed to begin. Marie and Philly were arguing over whether or not siblings could hold hands while taking pictures. Ja'Paul had up and left to check out the Baldwin Pops band. Louie was bathing in bug spray. Joey-Boy broke a chair. And to top it all off, Janie Bug was tired/hungry/wanted to go home. All this loveliness ensured before Big Papa had even gotten back from parking the van

So before I continue, I have a little confession about myself - When I'm tired and irritated, every single thing begins to bother me. Philly wanted to put his arm around me, Marie deciding to pull out her nintendo, Louie counting down until the fireworks start. Everything begins to bother me. Then I realize everything is bothering me...and that bothers me.

The fireworks started and the camera refused to work. I knew if I didn't grow up and get over myself, I would completely be missing the opportunity to enjoy the 4th of July with my family. So I turned off the camera, took a deep breath, got comfortable the blanket, sucked up my inner complaints and finally after about a minute I was able to happily watch explosions in the sky with a sweaty five year old on my lap.

and my amazing Daddy figured out the 'fireworks' setting on the camera :)

So even though I was utterly exhausted, I had a fantastic time. Janie-Bug told me how happy she was that she came, Philly told me today was the best day ever, and Louie informed us that she would remember that firework show for the rest of her life. 

All in all, I'm so very glad I got to spend the 4th with (most of) the incredible family God has blessed me with.