Welcome back to Blogging, Seidl!

I'm back. I promise. When I started this blog, I was excited to post something regularly. But with every 'new' thing, the newness faded and I saw it as something I "should" do that I didn't have the time for.
Last week, we finished putting in the last of our windows for the "Seidl House Renovation". I know, we started that project in May and here we are at the end of September, but they are done (more to come on that topic.) But as I was taking pictures to document the day, Chris says, "Now you have pictures to post to that blog of yours that you never update." Which brings me back into the blogging scene.
I feel that I have very good excuses for my blogging absence. School started. And with school starting, I have picked up two new classes and a new extra-curricular activity, color guard. Add that to speech, volleyball, and all of my other obligations, my life has been pretty crazy.
But, "excuses, excuses" are over. I am ready to try and devote myself to this blog and posting at least once a week. Too many good things are happening in my life and I feel the need to let everyone know. For example:
Yesterday, we were sitting down for lunch. On the menu: Taco Salads. Since Bren is still a little messy while eating, I decided it was the best idea to take her shirt off so I wouldn't have ground taco meat running down the front of it (other moms: I know you do this too, right?) I was cleaning much of the morning and I cannot clean without the radio on. I thought it was a good idea to leave the radio on instead of turning the TV on. Brenna was working on her taco salad when a song with a great beat came on and she couldn't control herself. She began to sway back and forth, bobbing her head, and announced to the table, "Mom, I dance so much better without my shirt on!"
As smiles spread across our faces, she continues to rock on. Without missing a beat, she adds, "This is amazing. I'm taking my pants off, too!"
Moral of this story: #1: I need to let others into the interesting world of the Seidl home and #2: Begin focusing on Career choices for Bren that don't involve dancing and taking off her clothes. :)

Windows: Part 1

The Seidl household remodeling has begun. Was I nervous? Very! Jen and I had started the day out with a little shopping. On our way home, we get this picture with the caption: "What? A Hole?!?"





This is where our patio door was. After 2 days, a few funny pranks played on me and 3 trips to Menards, we got the door and 2 windows in. 1/3 of the way done! It was a relief to have the project go smoothly. I am in love with my sliding door--I've only walked into the screen slider 3 times! Here are some more pictures from the project!

"We're Going to Disney World"--Seidl Style!

We have known for quite a while that we were taking the girls to Disney World this summer. But for all of you out there that have kids, you know you can't tell them 8 months in advance or the next 8 months will be filled with "Are we going today?". So we kept it a secret--all the planning, ordering of Minnie Ears, and the anticipation. Chris and I decided to wait until we couldn't take it anymore--which was last night. 18 days out.

I had planned out the whole thing from start to finish. I had envisioned what their reactions would be like. Had I been setting myself up for disappointment? Maybe, but I was still very excited with the outcome. Their faces and cute comments made up for all the waiting to tell them!

So sit back and enjoy the Seidl's version of "We're going to Disney World!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRvBM-Ctnlk&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

"Livin on a Prayer"

Mexican, Jon Bon Jovi, and long lost sisters--obviously, last night was a night that will not be forgotten for a variety of reasons.

Quite a few months ago, a few of my friends (Amy and Christi) asked if I wanted to go to Jon Bon Jovi. Right after they ask, both of them started making fun of my youthful age- asking if I even knew who he was. Of course I knew who he was. Of course I knew a few of his songs (not as many as they did). Of course I wanted a girls night out. So Christi arranged to get us some tickets.

Fast forward to May 12th. As Amy rushed us to get ready, we headed out around 4:30 to have a delicious meal and Margarita at El Rodeo. As we were heading down to Wells Fargo Arena and in between Bon Jovi songs, Amy told us her "half sister" was also going to be at the concert.

Now, let me fill you in on Amy and her family. Amy's father was a little , how should I say it, promiscuous. He ended up with multiple children from multiple mothers (many who didn't even know they had siblings). Amy met her real father once when she was 21. When she attended a funeral this past year, she learned of these half siblings--including a sister named Sheena.

As she was telling us about Sheena attending the concert, we joked around about how Sheena was going to end up right in front of us. Amy didn't really know her or what she looked like--all she had to go off of was her Facebook picture.

Once we got to our seats, we were busy taking pictures and preparing ourselves for the big moment when Jon made his entrance. All of a sudden, a lady in front of us yelled, "Sheena". Amy jokingly responds under her breath, "Watch, it's my sister." We both laugh as we turn around and see a girl who definitely didn't look like Amy's sister. But as she sat down in front of me, we saw there was a woman sitting down directly in front of Amy who did resemble the picture.

Amy: "Is your name Sheena?"

Sheena: "um......yes."

Amy: "Sweet Jesus, It's me, Amy." (ok, she maybe didn't say these exact words, but I'm sure she was thinking it).

And the rest of it was pure magic. There were tears and moments of bonding all the way up until the concert started and after. To hear the story is amazing; to watch it happen was beyond words.

The story gets even better after you hear Sheena's Story: She was suppose to have a ticket to the concert, but at 7:15 PM, she found out her ticket wasn't at Will Call. She almost didn't come to the concert until a friend offered Sheena her ticket. That ticket directly placed her in front of Amy.

If that isn't fate, I don't know what is. Remember that Wells Fargo Arena holds 17,000 people. I'm not very good with numbers, but I know the odds of finding someone you know in that arena isn't good, let alone a long lost sister.

If Oprah was still doing shows, this would be a show she would be interested in. If I heard this story, I'm not sure that I would believe it. But I was there; I saw the unbelievable happen.

Yes, the concert was amazing. Yes, Jon Bon Jovi is great looking for an old(er) man. But the best thing was the absolute joy I saw in two women's eyes when they found something they didn't really know existed: a sister and a new friend.

20 days left....But who's counting??

Every year, I have a love/hate relationship with May.

Things I love:
I love the weather--who doesn't want to be outside when it is nice and the sun is shinning? For the last few weeks, it has been pretty raining so the sun is a nice addition to the forecast. I love being able to play with my kids after school--when volleyball and speech are going on, I never have the time. But in the spring, I have NO after school activities and love walking out the door at 3:45.

I love running outside in May. It is so hard to find the motivation to run with its cold and windy. But in the spring, I love to run and have things to look at and keep me distracted from the run.

Things I Hate:
I hate how every drop of motivation and ability to concentrate has disappeared from my students. Giving students work time to write their speeches is pretty much a waste of time. Right now as we are SUPPOSE TO BE preparing to giving persuasive debates, my students are talking about anything besides their topics. I have tried to get them back on task multiple times, but have failed. Why have I failed? Because my motivation has disappeared a little, too. On a nice Friday afternoon, there are so many other things I would rather be doing than disciplining a bunch of 17 year olds. I know I will be disappointed with their debates on Monday, but right now, I'm thinking about the cold, refreshing drinks waiting for me after school. 3:45 can't come fast enough.

So May, even though I love you for so many reasons, I cannot stand being in school during you. Please Make May 27th get here fast!

Summer Project 2011

Well everyone, we've done it. We've been debating on when to replace the windows in our house for the last 3 years and today, we bought them. We have to do it now.

Last year, we decided our windows needed to be replaced and they couldn't wait any longer. They are very worn-out looking on the outside and not the best at keeping the cold out in the winter. We called 3 different companies to come out and give us quotes for replacing the windows. We knew it wouldn't be pretty, but when they sent quotes of 18,0000-21,000 dollars our way, we decided it might have to wait a few years. :)

This spring, we somehow got the idea that we didn't need to pay someone else to put them in. We are smart, young, and totally capable of putting in new windows in our house. (We will see if we still believe this in a few weeks.)

Yesterday, we decided to head to Menards to order our new windows. Chris took some measurements of our windows (after watching a few how-to videos on you tube, of course) and we were on our way feeling ready to tackle this new project.

We begin this adventure wandering around the Windows section of Menards for an hour before we find someone to help us. During that hour, Chris and I have had multiple fights because we realize neither of us know what we are doing. Right before I am ready to head out the door, we meet Rick. Rick is a very knowledgeable member of the millwork team at Menards--he may be a lifesaver before this is all over. He explains to Chris how to properly measure the windows, builds our confidence up a bit and we head home.

Demolition time! Chris starts pulling off all of the trim around our windows and our house now looks like a construction zone. After two more trips and around 41/2 hours spent in Menards, we finally got the correct measurements for our windows and ordered them along with a new patio door.

As this project progresses, I will update you with all of the successes and the failures with this project. Even though I am not looking forward to the headaches, fights, and messes, I am looking for to the finished product: a beautiful looking house. Do we know what we are doing? No. Will we end up with huge holes in our house? Maybe. Only time will tell. :)

What a Great Surprise: Dustin is Home

As many of you know, Chris's brother, Dustin, has been serving overseas for the last 5-6 months. He arrived home last night for his 2 week leave and we surprised the girls! Lexi wondered why we weren't going to church and why we had to change Brenna's shirt after supper, but she definitely didn't put it together. When the doorbell rang, Lexi looked out the window and only saw Grandma and Grandpa. But her face when she opened the door was priceless!

We spent about an hour talking while the girls made sure Dustin saw all of their Christmas toys and the new things they could do. What a great feeling to have the family back together--even if it's for a short time.