Thursday, April 30, 2009

Dear Neighbors,
We've never been properly introduced. My name is Mandi and I live here with my gorgeous husband and 5 pretty adorable children. I've noticed you watching our home quite a bit so I thought I would give you names to go with faces.

Jonah is the oldest child, the one who is generally bellowing at his siblings because he simply doesn't have any other tone of voice. I know his hair is a bit much, but I am trying to let him express himself that way.

Molli is next with the long brown hair. She is the one who is bossing everyone around and always the leader. She has a very high pitched scream which I am certain you've been privileged enough to hear.

Then comes Emma, she has shorter dirty blond hair and is the fairly quiet one. She is typically found riding her bike quietly in circles around the house or talking to herself. Don't get me wrong, she can scream with the best of them...but you know that.

Sydney is the thin blond one. She is usually pestering someone, chasing Thomas, or running inside continuously to tattle on her siblings. She has a need to be included which generally leads to sibling fighting. You've witnessed that I am sure.

Thomas is my little guy. He adores being outside and is at very opportunity, sometimes without his mother's knowledge. But you know that as well as you came over last year to inform me that he was outside unattended. Remember how you threatened to call the police if you saw him out alone again? Good times.

I know you are frustrated with the way our yard is kept, or not kept I should say. I understand that you are available all day, every day to pick up every leaf or stick in your big yard. I sure wish I had that kind of time. I know when we have campfires or when we burn leaves, you are very nervous as we appear young and stupid. But my husband was a boy scout which you probably didn't know, so it's ok. I've also noticed you staring at our home at various times when you think you are unseen on your porch. I would stare too, this is a great house and a fabulous family! Who wouldn't want to spend hours watching the drama that is our life?? But if you are that curious, I'd be happy to sit down and have coffee with you both and give you our life stories. All you have to do is ask. :) I understand you might be a bit embarrassed as you did see me half naked last year when a certain spider crawled up my leg, but I assure you, it's fine. I'm a little crazy...but my guess is, you knew that too.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and let you know that we watch you too :)

Love,
Your noisy, crazy, messy neighbors

Monday, April 27, 2009

Oh the rain..I love spring rain. I cannot believe how green everything is!!! Spring truly is a wonderful time!! We had some fantastic weather this weekend, I was complaining of being too hot!! And how did the Kurtz's stay cool??

Well my dad opened their pool on Easter weekend and when Molli came in and reported that the water was 60 degrees, my brother and dad bolted for the pool. We all followed, anxious to see Josh freeze his booty off by jumping in. However, the first one in the pool was SYDNEY!! She stripped off her dress and jumped right in!!! All of my kids, except Thomas, followed suit. And they did not merely jump in and jump out. No, they were SWIMMING!! Getting out and jumping in over and over. We finally had to pull the plug as I am sure hypothermia was not far behind! They had so much fun and I think they are all NUTS! But the McGlynn pool is officially open for the season!

Today I took Sydney to register her for kindergarten. There were many emotions to be had as I watched her doing her testing, all the while turning back to me and waving. Where did the last five years go? She has really matured this year. I'm so proud of her. So, in the fall, I will have four children in school full time. Wow. Whatever will I do???? Take lots of naps :) Or, as Matt says, our house will be really clean. Yeah right.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

It's Saturday. For most people, it's the weekend. I wish it were so for us. Matt works on Saturdays so it really just feels like another week day. Grrr, but these days, I am so thankful that he has a job so not much complaining is done.

Today is Emma's friend birthday party. I'm sad for her as we invited 6 girls and only one is coming. She has managed to be very positive and excited regardless. Silly string and water balloons were purchased...why I'm not entirely sure. Probably my way of making it up to her :) I'm really glad I ordered a cake for 20 people! LOL

I washed all of our bedding and hung it out to dry on the line yesterday. It was so great! I LOVE the smell of linens off the line! Summer is on it's way.

Well back to spreading more Tinkerbell pixie dust around...gotta love girl parties!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Today the sun came out. And man, did it change my blahs!! I felt so great!

Yesterday was my Emm'a's 7th birthday. I can hardly believe that she is that old. She is such a beautiful, funny girl and I am blessed to have been her mom these last 7 years! We had a great family party last night and I made a cake! I can't remember the last time I made a birthday cake! But it was yummy and we had a good time. She received another Webkinz which she was tickled about and her very own iPod shuffle. Pics to come! Now the countdown is on for her friend party which is Saturday. A house full of giggling 7 year old girls...oh boy!

Saturday is also Jonah's last boychoir concert. I love seeing him get all dressed up and singing. It's so awesome. It sounds like he will not be continuing with boychoir next year, but it's been a great experience for him.

Next week begins hard core potty training. I am ready to be done with diapers, something we haven't been without in 10 years :) I'm loading up the M&M jar and preparing the carpet cleaner for "oops". Anyone who has potty trained a boy recently, suggestions are welcome! I haven't had to potty train a boy in 8 years and I've forgotten, lol!

I've also joined the Twitter community, not sure why, but it seems cool. I do enjoy knowing what's going on in people's lives and this just makes that a little simpler. So if you are a Twitter-er, follow me and let me know so I can follow you as well!!

Monday, April 20, 2009

I have started many blogs since the last that I posted. My heart has just not been in it. And things seem to be slightly more busy here of late. Enough excuses :)

Things with my friend have leveled off for now. We have seen each other once and it was cordial, although we haven't spoken since. And when there is a friend with whom you used to speak at least once a day, and then there is nothing...that is tough. I'm not sure how to proceed, just kind of waiting and watching.

I feel so uncertain today. The only other "friend" I have is also moving. I feel that there are very few possibilities for friendships where we are, both at home and at church. Blah blah, blah...gotta snap outta this rut.

On a positive note, I sabotaged my husband into re-doing our bathroom. It turned out SO great and I love it!! Even Matt thinks it was a good idea! Score for me! Here are some pics.....









It really looks beautiful and I'm so glad we did it. More normal posts soon!!!

Monday, April 06, 2009

I can't sleep. I've tried. Yes, it is only 9:30, but I am usually fast asleep by now. But my heart is heavy and that does not allow for sleep. And, even though I have tried to avoid it, I find I must pour my heart out here, despite who may or may not see it. My fingers are ready to share my burden.

I have a friend. Revolutionary, right? But you see, I don't make friends easily. Oh, I am friendly and outgoing and I can strike up conversations easily enough. But, there are only two people who I can point to that I have allowed into my life, to see the messy side of who I am....behind the masks and the fakeness that I usually put up for most to see. And I am now terrified that I have lost my friend.

We have had quite the share of ups and downs, this friend and I. We've seen each other through some really rough crap. And, I think, we've always been able to tell each other how we feel. Or, if need be, to call each other out. That's who we are.

I felt the need to call into question something in her life. I don't know if I really should have said anything or not..but that is beside the point as it is already done. She is very angry with me, and hurt. I am sad and so very afraid that I may have lost her.

I am aware that there is a great possibility that she may move...this has been our reality for months now, delicately balancing on our increasingly different lives with the same old same old. We both feel the distance, I think.

I don't know what to do. I love her, so very much. I cannot imagine my life without her in it. She has become as close as a sister to me. And sisters fight. I just don't know how we will come back from this.

My heart is heavy tonight...and as I continue to type, the screen grows blurry through my tears. I don't know if she will see this or not. If so, I hope she sees my heart, that I care for her deeply and my life has been changed for good because I know her, to borrow from my beloved "Wicked". I miss her.

Friday, April 03, 2009

I am here, I know that you, my two readers, have been worried :) It has just taken me this long to get acclimated to being back home. I really didn't think it would be that bog of a deal...but clearly it was. I have been here every day, just not sharing. There just didn't seem anything great to write about after my spectacular journey. But I have missed the feeling of jotting down something....thus, here I am.

Wednesday was the third anniversary of my Grandpa's death. The day was laced with tears, moments that caught me by surprise, a laughter...a true testament to the man that he was. I spent most of my growing up years with him next door, an experience that I would never trade. I miss him every day. As I sat with the kids and we watched the video that we made for his funeral, I was reminded of how much he is still a part of who we are. My children, well all except Thomas, have memories of him which is so special to me. It was a good day.

We start Spring Break as of today. I was optimistic that we would be able to manage the week with the warmer weather...until I looked at the forecast and saw that we are expected to receive 6 inches of snow on Monday. So much for that plan. But we are penciling in other activities and I plan to make the most of every moment that the kids are home. Spring cleaning sounds good, and I can direct :)

We watched Marley and me last night as a family and ended up sobbing! My three biggest kids were crying! It was a wonderful movie, very touching and honest. I really enjoyed it. I also finally bit the bullet and rented Twilight. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about it. I did enjoy Robert Pattinson as Edward :)

Oh dear, the kid drama is beginning.....