those indoor days

It has been raining for 3 days straight. Thank you tropical storm Lee...

So because of labor day, #2 has been looking forward to enjoying a nice relaxing 3 day weekend. But I didn't expect relaxing to consist of sitting indoors listening to the waterfall outside and counting the tree limbs in the yard.

When I'm spoiled with long weekends, I tend to actually take advantage of having a whole saturday/sunday to enjoy myself then take the monday to get homework and such finished...well, due to the weather, my homework has been done and my room has been clean since saturday.

The downpour outside hasn't been all bad. I've been home 99% of this weekend which has made up for time away at school since the semester started. So spending time with my fantastic family is always a win at the end of the day. 

ps. I know the pics have nothing to do with this post. I'm just looking forward to the 11th!

schoooooool's in for the school year

Here we go once again. 

Back to classes, homework, confusing assignments, and sweating off 10lbs from changing buildings because southern Alabama weather shows no mercy. 

I'm terrible about school. I'm a last minute kinda person which bites me pretty often but somehow I manage to get everything done eventually. This summer was a fantastic break from the craziness of having to commute an hour to get to my 8am class on time, but I'm glad to have some sort of structured schedule back in my life.

Thankfully this first week hasn't been too much a cold splash back into the reality that my little town I now call home is a bubble of nice people. Readjusting to rude drivers, sarcastic classmates, and teachers obsessed with using "damn" to describe everything is going to be a challenge, but I'm ready (I think).

All the siblings are back to school as well. The house is full of lesson videos playing and a constant chorus of "Mooooom! I need help!" I've kinda sorta missed it...I just wish she could also help me deal with all this online class stupidity. (Don't even get me started with how pathetic that concept is when you're actually at the school taking classes)

As crazy as it is going to be, I'm excited about this year so far. I'm praying for another semester of safe traveling, fun classes, and maybe this year I'll get lucky enough to find a few morally sane friends on campus ;)

So even though teachers are crazy, classmates may stalk you, textbooks are a freaking rip off, and every semester you get stuck with a "why on earth do I have to take this?!" class, college is fun. I'm trying the best I can to keep it that way without any regrets. 

So far so good.

Sophomore year...here we go :)

its a love/hate thing 2.0

A couple months ago, I posted a blog about certain things I love and things I despise (its a love/hate kinda thing) well I promised that I would every so often post the same kind of style. So here we are...enjoy!

Things I hate...

#1 - people talking during movies

okay I'm reasonable. If you turn to make a little quiet comment to your date that's perfectly alright. I'm talking about those people who have decided to provide their personal commentary throughout the entire film to the rows of movie-goers surrounding them. Honestly, I don't care the least bit what you think of the movie. Go out afterwards and talk about it. I paid through the nose to get into that place so for the sake of not provoking me to find a way to kill you with popcorn, please stay off your phone and keep your mouth closed (that sounds a little more sinister than I wanted it to...but you get the point. heehee) I will say, I don't at all mind when I'm watching a movie in a non-theatre setting and someone has a little comment - I'm quite guilty of that practice. but to those of you who simply cannot resist from blurting your view every five minutes...it would be best for your health if we did not watch a movie together :P

#2 - fish

this picture makes me gag. I cannot stand fish. The sight/smell/taste makes me queasy. I'm in no way a picky eater, but for some reason my stomach simply cannot take the idea of fish. About a week ago, my sisters went down to the pier and brought home a bucket of them - I just about died from the scent. Now I'm not condemning those of you who like fish. I honestly wish I liked it. Any other kind of seafood is absolutely delicious to me, but fish...no thank you. 

#3 - anti-blinkers 

You know who you are. 

Some of you might want to sit down for this fantastic news: there's this magical light on either side of your vehicle that by the flick of wrist will illuminate to allow those vehicles surrounding you to receive a warning that you are planning on changing the direction you are going. WHOA. mind blown. 

It's not that hard to do. I've heard the argument that you don't need to use your blinkers because you already know where you're going. That's all fine and dandy but -news flash- its not all about you, dear ;) I'm not a tailgater by any means, but when you slam on your brakes and swerve into McDonalds, or blow your horn at me because I didn't realize you were planning on cutting in front of me on the highway, I can get a little upset. So if you enjoy the luxury of retaining a bumper, please please please use those blinkers.

and now for my lighter, less whiny side

Things I love...

#1 - being serenaded

To that special guy - I don't sit around painting my nails while dreaming about a handsome prince charming. I don't like mushy "butterflies and rainbows" style displays of affection (I might just throw up). Don't come up with stupid gooey nicknames for me or call me constantly just so you can hear my voice. I'm simple: tell me I'm beautiful and that you love me...then sing for me. Aside from queso and chips, there's no quicker way to my heart. I love goofy guitar gibberish and sappy piano sonatas. Sing cheesy 80's love songs or blurt out musical ballads. Whatever you choose to musically romanticize me with, I will love you forever.

#2 - Tevas 

some of the ugliest shoes you will ever see...but also some of the most comfortable and compatible. My Tevas are my 'all the time' shoes. I wear them every day to work, when I bike, when I kayak, when I hike, and when I'm at school. I've been told they look stupid. I've been told they look comfortable. I agree with both. They have left quite the impression on me (literally). My 'Teva tan' is my pride and joy. As goofy and unflattering as these sandals may seem, they are God's gift to my feet.

#3 - biking

I've found a new love in life...his name is Bikey. Living in a bike-friendly town is heavenly. I was a nanny all summer and on top of biking to and from work, I literally took the kids out on rides every single day. I cannot wait to get into a normal bike routine. Hopefully it'll be a healthy hobby I keep up with for a long time. 

So that's that. A little sneak peek into the vast personality withheld in this head of mine. Hopefully you feel your time spent reading about my pet peeves and personal favorites has been well spent :)

-#2

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.