Ok so have a situation that needs to be blogged about....

All year, Molli has talked about this girl, we'll call her...Maria. Molli is completely swayed by this girl. She doesn't like this shirt of Molli's so Molli won't wear it to school. Molli tells her things, Maria thinks they're stupid. Maria likes Hannah Montana therefore so does Molli. They are always having these "fights". You get the point....I have been so annoyed with Molli's lack of backbone and own opinion. We've talked about it often. I asked her often to try and find other friends. For some reason, Maria has some sway over my otherwise headstrong, determined little girl.

Molli came home from school today and didn't want to tell me something. After a while she spit out this story. Apparently, the principle pulled Molli out of lunch today to have a talk. She told Molli that Maria's mom had called the school because Maria was scared to come to school that day. And the reason? She was scared of MOLLI!!!! WHAT?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?! I laughed right out loud when I heard that. Domineering and headstrong as she can be, she is not a brute or someone who could do anything to anyone. Maria however, is the tallest girl in second grade! So Molli continues to tell me that Maria didn't want to come to school because she was worried what Molli would do. Now every fiber in my being is screaming that this is so stupid! I don't think Molli is a victim, other than being unwilling to stand up for herself. But Maria has constantly been a thorn in my side...and now it seems she's willing to lie to get out of school.

So what would you do???

So remember when I said we were having family pictures taken? Well, we lived...surprise, surprise and in return we got this....a beautiful family photo that I can't stop looking at...

So sad

I knew this day was coming...just knew it. I just thought I would handle it better. After all, it's been two years...

My little Thomas man has gorgeous hair....it's just beautiful. Long and curly. We've never cut it in his two years of life. Not even a trim. However, this past week he was called a girl 5 times....so I knew...it was time.

Matt got him all set up and I took a deep breath and made the first cut....and promptly burst into tears. Thomas took it all in stride, reassuring me with, "I cute Mama." So I got it all done. He looks....like a little boy...WAAAAAHHHHHHH!

Take a peek...









The before pictures


































The after shots

Well all I can say is UGH. I cannot remember a time when I have been this sick. It started Saturday night and I have been miserable on and off since. A fever, chills, aches...oh my word. What a nightmare. And of course, with me sick, life is sort of on hold. There's dishes and laundry abounding and even though Matt is doing his best, it's all I can do to not weep with how overwhelmed I feel. It's absolutely debilitating for me to be sick.....

Ok enough pity partying....I will survive and come out the other side of this. :) Now I must go take more Tylenol....

I have a fever so I thought I'd put this on here....


Hi, my name is: Mandi

Never in my life have I been: on my own

The one person who can drive me nuts is: Matt :) But I love him still

High school was: such a tangled web of boyfriends and silly cheerleaders

When I'm nervous: I have to pee or giggle

The last time I cried was: last night when my fever was high and I felt awful

If I were to get married right now my maid of honor would be: Mindy of course

My hair is: so messy, that's what staying in bed all day will do

When I was 10:I got my period

Last Christmas: my kids got SOOO many gifts that they got tired of opening them...sad....

I should be: resting and reading with the kids

When I look down I see: dirty dishes.

The happiest recent event was: having Noah here

If I were a character on "The Office" I'd be: I have no idea, I've never watched it

By this time next year: I desperately hope Thomas is potty trained!

My current gripe is: Christmas is coming way too fast!

I have a hard time understanding: people who can't handle their lives...SUCK IT UP!

There's this girl I know that: loves others, has such a kind heart, is extremely profound and is my second oldest daughter

You know I like you when: I remember things you've talked about

If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: Matt, then my mom, then Mindy

Take my advice: having five kids isn't for everyone, but we love it

Something that I really want to buy is: a new camera

If you visited the place I was born: it's still a functional hospital, my cousin actually is a nurse there

I plan to visit: Cozumel, Belize City and Grand Stirrup Cay on MY CRUISE!!!

If you spend the night at my house: You will not get to sleep in, my kids are up at dawn

I'd stop my wedding if: I felt that the timing was wrong or there were doubts

The world could do without: hatred

I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: be naked in front of people

Most recent thing I've bought myself: a new shirt for pictures

Most recent thing someone else bought me: Nothing.

My favorite blonde is: My girls and Thomas.

My favorite brunette is: my mom

My middle name is: Leigh

This morning I: I slept in.

The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are: huh?

Once, at a bar: I sang karaoke...and WON!

Last night I was: staying up WAY too late playing cards with Tim and Mindy

There's this guy I know who: loves me enough to send me to bed and take care of the kids

I don't know: why it's so hard to eat well

A better name for me would be: Sam

Tomorrow I am: digging out from the weekend and it's GIRL'S NIGHT OUT!

Tonight I am: keeping my fever down and snuggling with Matt

My birthday is: 4 days after my husband's which means I have to share it...UGH

What I really wanted for Valentine's Day was: roses and I got them

I can sing: yes, yes I can

I like a guy named: Edward....that's not a secret :)

We are getting ready...we are having family pictures taken today....it's been almost 3 years since we've had one done.....don't even have one with Thomas in it.....praying for ONE good shot of my family....will update later!

It's time...it's time to pull myself out of the dumps and smile. I am so completely blessed. So, in an effort to focus on the positive, I'm going to list things that I have to be thankful for, using the letters of the alphabet (Sydney is helping me, we're trying to conquer letter recognition!)

A - Afghan that my grandma made me....I'll cherish it always
B- Bread, it has gotten us through many a lean time, PBJ's rock!
C- Cullens - especially Edward....so thankful that I got a chance to know them :)
D- Dogs, our dogs, Bo and Chunky. I love them...even though Bo runs away and almost gets hit by cars and even though Chunky is somewhat psychotic...I adore them.
E- Emma Jane, my deeply thoughtful, tender hearted girl.
F- Friends, my dearest girlfriend Mindy...don't know what I'd do without her.
G- Gas, IT'S SO CHEAP!!!
H- Husband, my adoring husband Matthew....I love him with all my heart.
I- Ice cream. Enough said.
J- Jonah, my sensitive, frustrating, smelly, beautiful son
K- Kin, my family is so important to me
L- Leaves, they are so beautiful....until I have to rake them
M- Molli, my brillant, emotional, determined daughter
N- Nap time - such a bright spot in my day!
O- Old things, I kind of old fashioned
P- Pigtails - I love putting them in my girl's hair
Q- something that starts with q that I am thankful for....hmmmm
R- Robin- my great sister-in-law, my chatting buddy!
S- Sydney, my clingy, funny, devoted girl
T- Thomas, my adorable, hilarious, trouble making boy
U- Umbrellas? (Syd's suggestion) They do keep you dry...
V- Vacations - such a great way to make memories!
W- Water, specifically hot water...I adore it!
X- x?
Y- Yarn...I have forgotten how much I love knitting
Z- Zippers....they hold in so much :)


There you have it....

As if that weren't enough to make me smile, Matt and I watched the 101 most unforgettable SNL moments tonight and my favorite two made the top 10...













What a hilarious way to end the evening!

The aftermath

I must say...yesterday was not a great day. All my hope and faith went out the window and I am left feeling let down and sad. I was obedient and somehow thought that God would reward that. I still know that He loves me and has the ultimate plan for me. It's just so hard when it doesn't go the way I expect it to. His thoughts are higher than mine, his plans are greater.....just wish He'd give me a glimpse.

A miracle

So here I am, in the unknown...trusting my Savior. There's going to be a miracle today...I know it. I can't wait to brag on my Jesus....He knows our every need, He loves me....it's gonna be a great day!

Have you ever had one of those times where you knew what you HAD to do, but to do it took complete trust that God would provide? I find myself there this week. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt what I must do... and yet, I am panicked not knowing the outcome. Why is it so hard to believe that God knows best? That He loves us and provides for us? "See how He dresses the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the air..."

Hmmm, where to go from there??

I cannot upload any pictures which is distressing me. I have some really great shots from Halloween and from our time with Noah. Maybe I'll try again today.

But my goal for today....I MUST FIND MY HOUSE! Lordy, I can't tell ya how behind I am! I don't know if it's because Noah is here this week, or that I started my "life change" eating thing, or what. But it's disaster!!! Sydney had to go to school this morning with the big kids as they only have a half day so it's just me and Thomas. Hopefully I can distract him so I can kick butt on it!

Well elections are over and boy am I relieved that my phone will not be ringing off the hook telling me who to vote for! PHEW! One quick pet peeve and then I am done talking politics....
God is not surprised by who won. Not at all. He could not have won without God appointing him. And no matter who is our president, whether we agree with his policies or not, he is the President of the United States and that position deserves respect. Period. You don't have to be his best friend and you don't have to agree with him, but you do owe him the respect that is due that office.

Ok, on to other things :)

I despise raking. I just hate it. I have NEVER liked it. I loved growing up in the woods because we never had to rake because it was impossible to get rid of the leaves! Now we have this gorgeous, HUGE yard and raking has become my bain. Couple that with the fact that our lovely neighbor is a FREAK about his yard and there is not one leaf on it. EVER. Makes ours look that much more wonderful! I'm still thinking of a way to just wish the leaves away. I'll let you know if I can actually do it!

To my dear giveaway winners

Oh my dear giveaway winners...if only you knew how painstakingly I wrapped your prizes...not wanting anything to happen to them on their way to you...and then, I put the boxes on top of my van when I went to strap Thomas in....and there the boxes stayed...until I backed over them smashing all of the beautiful things inside.....I just cried and cried.....please forgive me....I will get new ones....and make Matt ship them...