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

Beka {Senior 2016}

Some of you will probably remember Beka - We've known each other since we were toddlers, became inseparable best friends through middle school/ high school, and then life got crazy and I went to college. In my early years of blogging, you'll find many posts about us and our adventures.

She's a senior in high school this year and she asked me to take her senior pictures since we used to do photoshoots all. the. time. So I borrowed a camera, picked a weekend I was home, and spent 4+ hours shooting. It was a blast! So here's a little preview...

I loved accompanying her to all the places she had in mind, going to lunch, tagging along with her horse 'Joey', and overall she just made my job super easy. She's very photogenic and her gorgeous, natural red hair looked perfect the entire shoot. Even through some rain and changing clothes it stayed perfect. Thank you Beka for a fun day and I hope you have the best senior year ever!

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

The Rest of Summer {2015}

The summer after my senior year was probably the best summer of my life so far.

I gained such beautiful friendships and grew closer to those that I love. My "big sister" (actually my former babysitter that became a huge role model in my life and now I just call her my sister) and how much wisdom she pours into me without even trying. Her faith is so strong and it's so inspiring.

My amazing cousin who seeks out my time just to chat and catch up. Who randomly sends me bible verses for encouragement and wants to know how my day is going. We've been best friends since we were little and I love how our bond has only gotten stronger even though we see each other way less than we used to.

This summer I started dating my best friend and that has been such an incredible transition. He pushes me to do my best and believes in everything that I do. I love getting to talk to him about anything and know that he's going to support me. He made this summer one I will never forget.

Lots of memories. Lots of love. New beginnings are ahead.

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Prom 2015 {Senior Year}

On May 2nd, 2015 I went to my senior prom! My last high school dance ever...

I'm so thankful that I got to go with my best friend as my date and all of my favorite people got to spend the night together dancing, laughing, and making so many memories. We enjoyed every single part of the day/night and made it as fun as could be.

My sister, Erin, and I got our hair done at 10:00am and then finished our makeup and made it home in time to get in our dresses and put on our jewelry before my date showed up and it was time to go.

One part that does get sort of exhausting are all of the pictures that we take before we actually head to prom. Thankfully everyone was pretty patient and we had some very nice photographers & parents ready to capture the moments.

Pictures went from about 2-4:30pm with all of the driving to different locations and meeting up with different friends. Finally, at 5:00pm we all jumped in our super awesome cars (just kidding - nothing too extravagant) and headed to the river boat where our prom would be held from 6-11pm.

I had an absolute blast with some of my best friends! Time passed way too fast on prom night but we all enjoyed ourselves. Afterwards we all followed each other back to our friends' house and ate more food and eventually crashed on the couch before the guys left.

Senior year has been full of so many incredible opportunities and sweet memories that I will never forget. I'm so looking forward to graduating with my amazing senior class in just 18 days, and then enjoying the summer before we all go our separate ways. Here's to the best prom I could of imagined!

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Missing Pieces

I haven't been totally dedicated to blogging this year and fortunately I'm really thankful for that. Being able to enjoy life and every moment has been a joy, and 2014 has been a blast to document no matter how much I've missed.

But I'm just going to post a little on some of the most exciting things of my life that haven't made it to the blog yet. So here we go...

November 2014 

In the beginning of November I turned 18! Every kid thinks of their 18th birthday - It's one of the biggest birthdays you'll ever have and you think it's sooooo far away. My 18th birthday was very special and I was blessed to have family and friends to celebrate with that day. Through these 18 years, the Lord has blessed me incredibly and I couldn't thank Him enough for the beautiful life he's given me and the beautiful people he's put in it as well.

Earlier that same day, on my birthday, a special letter came in the mail for me. And in just perfect timing, I read that letter that accepted me into my dream college! I've wanted to go to this college since I was a little girl and as I researched it since junior year, I knew it was the place for me. Ever since I was little I've had a love for teaching/leading others and from the young age of  9, God gave me a calling to become an elementary teacher. So I'm happy to announce that in the beginning of Fall 2015, I'll be attending UNW to major in Elementary Education!

I'm so so excited to become an eagle next Fall and begin the next chapter of my life as an "official adult". ;) Still working out some little details but I'm also looking forward to graduating in May to start another journey. It's crazy how time flies - Soon this will be a reality.

Next I'm here to share a few senior pictures with you all! 

More to come - xoxo, Michlyn

Volleyball 2014 Recap

Ok everyone...I'm officially done with high school volleyball. The last week of October ended my last season. Senior volleyball season has by far been my favorite and most memorable season ever! This year, we had a whole new coaching staff for all teams and that was such a blast. What our coach taught us is incredible and she did such a phenomenal job of turning our game around.

It was my second year being a captain for these girls and I loved every bit of it. My co-captains were Hannah and Monica and it was such a blast leading the team with them this past season. Since Monica and I are both seniors, I'm super pumped to see Hannah continue to lead the team next year.

Some high lights of our season include:
Second place in tournament #1
FIRST PLACE TROPHY from tournament #2
3-5 in conference record
Finishing with .500 or above from the whole season
2 of our players made the all-conference team (My teammate Annelise & I)

I could go on and on about my last season playing for the panthers. I'm ecstatic to see how far the girls will go next year and for the years to come! We played our hardest girls...proud of each and everyone of you! Now for the pictures...

Captains :)

The first trophy the volleyball team has won in years...Such a proud moment! First place!

Seniors - Love these girls :)

Oh I would do anything to go back to this moment!

Senior Night

 PANTHERS VOLLEYBALL 2014

xoxo,

~Michlyn