Hello March

Hey everybody. Happy March! I can't believe how fast time flies these days.

My life is full and chaotic. Wake up, work out, school, work. Repeat. 

I'm winding down my half freshman/half sophomore year of college. This summer I have state tests to take for school and a new nanny job lined up. In the fall, I'll start my second year here at UNW, and I also found some roommates!

It's crazy how far ahead you have to think when you grow up. But I'm so thankful for the support of my family, new friends, and boyfriend. No matter how much work a college degree is - I'm grateful for those around me who give encouragement and for our amazing God who knows every detail before I do.

Here are some of my favorite memories of 2016, so far.

date night with Derek // my cousin's wedding // babysitting & drinking coffee //

Valentine's Day roses // MN Wild hockey game // I BOUGHT A CAR // new shoes & ripped jeans //

hanging out with my little bro // Derek's birthday // scenery on campus // Driving home for the weekend // 

sunsets // my dog Hattie // Easter Sunday with my sisters

Hope all of my followers are doing well & that you have a fantastic week!

xoxo,

Michlyn

I'm Alive // 2016

Woah where do I even begin?! I've been absent from this little corner of the internet for well over 2 months. I'll do my best to recap bits and pieces of my life, and hope you don't get too bored.

I did survive my first semester of college. Barely though. It was a great feeling walking out of my last final and then realizing it was officially Christmas break! I then proceeded to basically pack up my entire dorm room. Break was an entire month long and even though I worked about 40 hours a week - it was nice to not worry about school for a while. Before I left campus I did two things.

Snapchat my mom this picture and and then laugh at how pathetic MN looked in December.

Christmas was amazing this (last?) year. I got to spend my first Christmas with Derek and just being surrounded by everyone I love made me realize how grateful I am for this life. My parents have never made Christmas all about gifts. Instead they've reminded us to be thankful and happy for what we have. It was also fun having Josi with us this Christmas - We were one big {happy} family!

(I'm not really sure what it is with my little siblings and their shirt sleeves)

Things I enjoyed over break:

Being with my family

Date night with Derek

Catching up with high school friends

Hanging out with my dogs

Babysitting

Laying around and doing absolutely nothing

Shenanigans with Erin

Finding out I was going to be a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding

Just to name a few...

Hope you enjoyed the pictures friends! My life is even more chaotic (how is that possible!?) right now than it has ever been. Thanks for following along!

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Two Months In

Wow it's been a while since I've blogged. I really really miss it but I also keep a personal journal that I write in quite often so my memories are getting noted somehow.

College is going great! It's as hard as people say but also as fun as people say.

It's hard to be away from home and my family. It's hard when you feel extremely lonely somedays. It's hard when you fail exams. It's hard to not be familiar with things. But...

It's fun to make new friends. It's fun to laugh and stay up late. It's fun to be 5 minutes from your boyfriend. It's fun to learn things that will help you gain a degree & career.

So life is good and busy. I don't have any pictures this time, but I'll be back soon!

Make sure to follow me on Instagram or bloglovin' to see a little more of my life - links in the tab above or on my sidebar.

xoxo followers,
~Michlyn

High School Graduate {2015}

So I did it.

I graduated from high school.

13 years of school. check.

Got my diploma. Threw my cap into the air. Heard my name announced as "the class of 2015". goosebumps.

It's all surreal. You never think you'll make it. It seems so far away. And soon enough it comes and goes.

So extremely thankful for getting to this amazing point in my life. I have so much that I will look back on and remember. The good times and bad times. Everything I've learned spiritually, academically, and emotionally are all apart of who I am today. I have so many incredible people in my life that have helped me mature and grow into the person I am today.

In just 3 short months, I will move unto a college campus and begin my journey as a UNW Eagle! There, I will pursue my dream of becoming a teacher. If someone was to ask if I'm excited or nervous? ALL OF THE ABOVE.

nervous.anxious.excited.thrilled,determined.scared.everything.

Congrats to us class of 2015! We did it!

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Annndd it's March

Hey all you crazy blog followers! I feel so sad to have abandoned my little space of the internet for so long but I have quite enjoyed my absence and also needed a little break to focus more on life. A lot has happened in the past month and I'm so excited to get back to journaling it all right here again!

I've already got some posts in drafts and thoughts and words running through my head. So to get back into the swing of things, I thought I'd do an instagram catch up! I haven't done one since Christmas time and when I was looking back at the old posts I was just kind of realizing that it is officially MARCH 2014. What!?

Time goes by crazy fast. So fast that it's ridiculous that things, and life, and worries, and people can all change in this amount of time.

Christmas Eve 2013// Sunday evening enjoying my caribou// black&white silly pics while babysitting

Me & my gorgeous best friend Brynn// Snowaze 2014// Late night run to Target// Brynn & I at Snowdaze

FINALLY read the book Divergent - Amazing// Selfie// Crazy pics with the little bro during the Superbowl

Matching with my beautiful momma// Black&white selfie// Took the plunge and read TFIOS - Speechless// My little bro once again!

Thanks for bearing with me during my blogging break! Would love for you to comment to see how everyone has been doing!

xoxo,

~Michlyn

My Volleyball Girls

So you usually see us in our jerseys, sweat dripping down our faces, and us diving across a volleyball court...But every once in a while we like to look a little prettier. At Snowdaze this year, the volleyball girls decided to take a picture together and well...I just love these girls!

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Growing Up & Stuff

I've literally been debating a post idea for days. Clicking "new post" and then "delete" over and over and over because I just couldn't find the words. So life has been busy...

Volleyball is over. Been fitting in as much babysitting as possible. Filling out job applications. Doing a crazy amount of homework each night.

I turned seventeen 2 weeks ago and that has made me feel a different kind of "old" than I usually feel on my birthday. 13 - I became a teenager. 14 - I'd say was my defiant age. 15 - getting more mature. 16 - got my license. 17 - ??? Oh geez I guess that's where a job comes in? So I've been searching the nearby places I'd like to work at so I could start filling out some applications.

We've all heard about the applications, the interviews, the coworkers, and the job itself processes...but until you get there, it's a whole different game. I think trying to find a job has given me the most anxiety and nervousness that I've felt. Just thinking of the questions I'll have to answer, or if they'll think I'm not mature enough, or qualified
enough...and on and on the worries go.

Prayer has been my best friend lately. I also have to thank all my friends that have prayed for me and who have let me vent about life. One night this past week I just got so upset that I had meltdown and just prayed for God to lift me up and not feel so overwhelmed with responsibilities. After all, I'm 17 and still growing up and learning how to do all of this. :)

xoxo,
~Michlyn

Halloween with a Spanish Twist

This year my costume was a little bit different. It took me until that night to figure out what I wanted to be. You see, I'm in Spanish 3...and in Mexico they also celebrate a Halloween holiday except it's called "La Dia de los Muertos". (the day of the dead) It has a big meaning behind it, so I'll spare your time and you can Google it.

I had my friend Sophie sleeping over that night and she's like an artist so she decided to paint our faces like the Spanish skulls. It took a while but it was grand fun and then we went trick or treating like the crazy teenagers we are and spoke Spanish to people. :)

Halloween 2013 was a success! We'll see if I actually decide I'm too old next year :)

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Hi it's Me Again

I saw the picture above on a design website and thought it perfectly described my blogging life. I miss how frequently I used to blog...I miss reading all the comments I got from all my wonderful followers. You could probably go back a few posts and read how busy my life is right now. I'm trying to cherish every moment until it passes, but it's hard and chaotic.

I'm so happy Fall has arrived! It's my favorite season and I just love it. I'm not going to get all cheesy and saw how it's time for cuddling, bonfires, hot chocolate, and scarves...because maybe it is but I don't want to tell you something that everyone else says. It's gets pretty mainstream.

The weather, the scenery, the outfits, and crispness of the air...That's what I love about Fall. How I can still enjoy time outside with friends in just a sweatshirt, or a bonfire with my family, or do a fun photoshoot without freezing. I can't wait to catch up with all of you, and hopefully bring you some pictures next time...I'll be back soon. :)

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Well Would you Look at That!

I'm back! Whew, my life has been busy. I'm so glad I can come back and write and have so much encouragement from all of you! Thank you for all of your lovely comments on my last post. Fall weather has now started here in my neck of the woods and I'm loving it! Fall is my favorite season!

Wake up at 6am

Go to school for 7 hours

Volleyball practice or a game

Get home around 8-10pm

Eat dinner

Do a boatload of homework

Shower

Go to bed hopefully before midnight

Repeat...

My life ladies and gentlemen. I'm glad you all understand that school isn't always easy and that sports and a big family always cause extra chaos. It's been a crazy transition into things but a fun one and I'm so blessed to live this life. Most days I sleep in the shower, or skip the notes in class, or just fall on the ground once I get home. Life is always full of seasons though and this season will pass sooner than I think, so why not enjoy it while I can.

Plus I'm seeing most of my friends everyday and playing a sport that I LOVE with some of my favorite girls in the entire world! I always heard that Junior year was going to be the hardest but never realized that until I got there. Not to scare anyone but for me this is definitely true. 

Blogging has always been one of my favorite things to do, and I miss it so much. Hopefully I can do it more often so all of you don't get so bored. I just thought I'd give you a little update and a little journal for myself.

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Blessed. {3 years}

When I wrote this post...I was a little nervous. I had never written about our adoption and it's crazy journey on my blog before. I didn't know what the responses would be like, but I knew I had to do it.

You guys are amazing! So many prayers were lifted up to our Savior and we could feel them! I actually have gotten asked a few times since, how my little sister is doing. And I'm here to give you an update.

As the big sister in an adoption, you're looked up to. She wants to dress like me, do the same stuff as me, and talk like me. (including other big sister Erin) But that can be hard, because even though you can sometimes see sweet and innocent sides of her, you know it's much deeper. Her survival skills that will kick in just so she can impress you or get you to like her.

Adoption is hard if you don't see all sides. You have to understand that these amazing children were abandoned. Some how...some way. They are not with their first family. And genetically, emotionally, physically, and mentally...there is always going to be something that ties them back to that. So whether it's a hard process or not to work through that, it's still there.

Our adoption was considered an "older child adoption". My sister was around 4 yrs old when we brought her home. So we see a lot more of the grief, hurt, and distrust that she feels. After she learned english perfectly...it was the words mostly. Gross words of hate and abandonment came out of her mouth. Tantrums and screaming because she's so unsure of the future. She has this undying need to be in control of everything she does. But part of that trust, is us teaching her that we have everything under control & she has to learn to be a kid again.

We have seen some improvement since I wrote that post 2 months ago. My mom has needed to literally hold her and tell my sister to listen to her. (in a way that helps bonding and will let her know that my mom is the parent...not her) And that can be frustrating and takes a lot of energy for a surprisingly strong 7 yr old. But my mom hasn't had to hold her in a while. She can just calmly explain that my sister needs to change her attitude or she'll need to take a break in her room. The words haven't stopped yet, but that is a control thing that comes when her anxiety is at an all time high. 

We're holding onto a hope that takes us one step at a time. Whether she'll keep improving, or we'll take a couple steps back...it's all apart of the journey. And guess what guys! IT'S BEEN 3 YRS (last week) SINCE MY SISTER CAME HOME. 3 WHOLE YEARS! 

Our God chose us for this journey, and I'm holding onto the hope He gave us...that the best is yet to come. Keep your prayers coming...we feel them, and we're so blessed to have people like you that support us & don't judge us on this road of life.

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Wish I'd Never Grown Up.

You're sitting in your room...playing Barbies or Legos. Crashing cars together or combing your favorite doll's hair.

Laughing and playing like the world will never end. Running around in your superhero cape or dress-up clothes.

Looking at your mommy and wishing that you were as pretty as her. Dreaming to wear that red lipstick or bright nail polish. Watching your daddy shave and lift heavy stuff. Hoping to be as strong as him one day.

Just an innocent little kid waiting for the day when you're big enough to drive around a real car or do your own make-up.

Then 10 years passes by like the wind, and you're a teenager learning how to fit in and get through life's crazy stuff.

The reality is that growing up is way harder than we thought. It's more than just hanging out with friends, driving fast cars, looking pretty, or watching TV like a boss. No...it includes actually becoming responsible, paying for your cell phone bill, helping to grocery shop, watching your little siblings, working hard in school so you can graduate, and maturing into the person that God wants you to be.


And did I mention innocent above? Oh yeah I did...There are so many things that we don't know as little kids. We don't know what drugs or alcohol are, we don't know that bullying even exists in school, or what suicide even is. We think guns are things that cowboys use in the wild west not a common weapon, or that music in the world can be so obscene.

Yeah there's puberty to go through and good hygiene to learn but that's just natural and normal stuff. Of course there are those awkward and funny moments about that stuff, but it's just part of growing up.


And it's hard and frustrating, good and awkward, humorous and exciting. We just have to make wise decisions and live in the moment. Realize that no matter what we go through will pass and we will grow to become mature people.


And sometimes I pretend that I'm a little kid again with no internet access, playing Barbies in my room with my little sister, or swinging with the wind in my hair. But to live without pretending is to take the hard challenges straight on and crush them!



Deep down inside we're still that little kid...Just a bigger version wishing to go back in time.
~Michlyn

10 Days...

Comparison Essay ✔

6 page Evolution Paper ✔

Biology Presentation ✔

Spanish Test ✔

Throw in a few baseball games, extra homework, chauffeuring of soccer siblings, and babysitting, and that would be my life! :)

Just field day, 3 finals, a spring choir concert, and I'M DONE!

10 Days until Summer!

~Michlyn

The "Sister Birthdays"

I have one sister who has a birthday on May 5th....

And another sister who has a birthday on May 6th...

DEAR LAURA GRACE - MY ANGEL BABY SISTER!

You are so precious and dear to my heart...I think about you sooo much and I can't wait to meet you in heaven one day. You are beautiful and perfect and I LOVE YOU! Give Jesus a big hug for me! 

AND TO MY CRAZY, BEAUTIFUL, SPUNKY, AND HILARIOUS SISTER ERIN!

You are my best friend. My life would be so boring and uneventful without you. I've loved having you as my partner in crime since the wee age of 1 1/2. :) You have a funny and unique personality and some people think it's hard to handle, but I think it's great. I can't wait to go on so many more adventures and make lots more entertaining memories. Keep your chin up and that beautiful smile bright! Love you!

~Michlyn

He was Protecting Us

I'm pretty sure most of you know that I have my drivers license. I turned 16 in November, and got my license in January.

Just about 4 weeks ago, I was involved in my first ever car accident.

My parents have been in quite a few accidents, but never when they had kids.

Thank goodness it wasn't my fault, and that everyone was perfectly ok.

I was on my way to school with both of my brothers in the back seat.

I was getting ready to merge onto the busy highway from a backroad about 5 minutes from our house.

As I was waiting for it to clear, I noticed that there was a bus in the left lane and that it was clear for me to get into the right lane.

Well, about 3 seconds after I was fully in the lane the bus passed me, and the car behind it was trying to change lanes, but since he hadn't seen me merge earlier he hit me in the front/side.

He was going around 60 mph and since I was still speeding up I was going around 40 mph.

Once he hit me (on the drivers side) it popped my front tire and spun me around. That would put me facing oncoming traffic.

It all happened so fast...the only part I really remember at that direct moment was; I heard a loud crash and thought "What on earth just happened?! No...I couldn't of just gotten in an accident."

Did I mention that my parents had surprised me with a car...just 10 days before this happened? I didn't? Oh well they did and yes I was driving it that day...

I couldn't restart my car and so I was stuck facing backwards in the middle of the lane with no help accept my mom who I had just called to tell her what happened.

After being turned around, frantically trying to restart my car, and balling my eyes out I had to figure out two things: "Are my brothers ok?" & "How bad is the car?"

I spun around and saw both of my brothers conscious, not bleeding, and not even crying. They actually cried less than I did...

A couple minutes later 2 ladies who had seen the accident came rushing towards me, called 911, and made sure everyone was ok. It was quite the scene!
I did hit my head on the side window and so I had a small bruise and my neck was sore and my youngest brother also bumped his ear on the window, but that was about the extent of any injuries what so ever.

God was not only protecting me & my brothers, but also the other guy and his young daughter.

He didn't come up to me or ask me if I was ok, but my mom did ask his wife if him or his daughter were hurt and that was about it.

I was so shooken up about everything that looking back... half of it was a blur and and at the same time I remember everything. (obviously because I'm writing this post)

 



After working everything out with insurance, being asked many questions, and waiting for the "shock" to wear off...things are 98% back to normal.

Whenever my brothers are in the car with me and we get home safely, Scout (the youngest bro) will announce "We made it and we're back in one piece!!" :) Haha oh dear I traumatized them...kinda...not really.

I know for a fact that the accident could of been a lot worse, and that Jesus sent his angels down. The thought of anyone getting seriously injured or even dying makes me emotional.

It's hard to think about sometimes, but when I breathe a little prayer I know that Jesus is always with me no matter what. Whether it's driving, eating, sleeping, or working.

If you read the whole thing, I applaud you! :)

~Michlyn

Oh How Technology Can Ruin Things...

I've been missing because our internet went down for a couple days and that was really interesting, because I just sat around trying to think of things to do.

I mean I actually got the motivation at 10 in the morning to do my homework... craaazay.

Also our computer has crashed about 3 times in the last 2 months. Awesome.

School files, saved websites, blog ideas, & ALL my photos GONE - scenery, photoshoots, sophomore year pics, instagram...everything. On some random disks that we can't even open.

Sooo I'll have another post up real soon and then hopefully get back into the rhythm of blogging. :)

xoxo,
~Michlyn

Let's Talk About Teachers

Ahh 'teachers'...to most of us a very familiar word.

I go to a pretty small school that is grades K-12. So it's an everybody knows everybody kind of place.

All the teachers know the students, even if they aren't in any of their classes. It's crazy.

We had Spring break about 2 weeks ago and ever since, it seems like the teachers have been a little...mmm...frustrating. Such as...


"Oh the teenagers just got off break, let's assign 498 worksheets, 212 projects, and a speech all due by Friday."
(Ok this dramatic but it's seriously how I feel.)

"Spanish class: *another student is answering a questions [in Spanish]* Oh you weren't listening let's see if you know what she said"
(Umm I enjoy my day dreaming thank you very much...obviously I'm not going to know what she said. urgh)

"Let's FINALLY put all the grades in the grade book after a whole month of being a slacker, put a few missing assignments there and viola!"
(Now pardon my rudeness buuuuut...If I completed all of the chapter's assignments and you say they're missing, well then it's your fault.)

So that was my casual vent on teachers. I really do appreciate my teachers, but some days...

~Michlyn

What I've Been Up To

Yes, I'm back! :)

It was nice to take a break from the blogging world and pay some much needed time to other things in my life.

I've been pretty busy, but now Spring break is here! A whole week and half of NO school. Score!!

I've got some other posts coming, but for now just a few things.

Hanging with the best friends a girl could have! Watching a couple of our other friends play basketball! :)

Went snow-tubing with some friends and that was a BLAST! We got pretty wet, but it wasn't that cold and the snow that fell all night was beautiful!

Thanks for not hating me while I took my break! I've missed hearing from my amazing followers!

~Michlyn

Snow Daze 2013 (in words)

Our school's Snowdaze dance was last night. 7-11 pm.

I was nominated with 5 of my other good friends for our sophomore royalty.

The dresses were gorgeous.

The dancing was crazy and so much fun.

The DJ was great and funny.

The people were amazing and entertaining.

The music was loud.

The decorations were beautiful.

My friends were the best!

My sister Erin and I before we left for the dance!

~Michlyn

P.S. More pictures to come as soon as they are up on our school website.

Awesome and Awkward Friday

Following along with my friend Brooke! She wrote she "awesome and awkward post" here!

Awesome:

>>Getting hugs from your friends.
>Grades going up as the semester finishes up
>>Having a mom who will listen to you and give you advice.
>Receiving the sweetest emails from bloggy friends
>>My hair - I just love the new cut. It's so fresh!
>Buying new music on iTunes because your awesome dad got you a gift card!
>>Reliving memories
>Being able to drive all by myself
>>Pictures to capture those moments
>Pinterest
>>The beautiful snow

Awkward:

>Sitting in class and you see your friend through the window in the door, so you wave. Then the teacher sees you, stops talking, makes a confused face, and the whole class laughs.

>>Sitting in class as the teacher is explaining something new. Then, you're used as an example and everyone in the class looks at you.

>Your friend tells you something suuupppeeerrrrr funny and you start laughing hysterically. Nobody else knows what's going on, so they just stare at you as you turn as red as a tomato and gasp for air...and continue to laugh some more.

>>When your walking down the hall and you see someone you kinda know but not really...so you just awkwardly make eye contact like 3 times until you pass each other.

>>Talking to a good guy friend of yours and then the gym teacher says "hey lovebirds let's play the game."

Hope your Friday was fabulous!
~Michlyn