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

5 Rules on Being a Teenager

Being a teenager is always an adventure. It's the stages that are between awkward and mature. Obnoxious and responsible. They're your growing up years. It's not always fun and school usually gets more challenging, and you're trying to fit in and and and... I'm only 16 and even when I feel old, I know I'm still young. So since I've been a teenager for 4 years, I decided to write down some funny and basic rules on being a teenager.

1. Do not ask someone if they have a crush on another person. For the love of all things good and pure...do NOT do this. Unless it's your best friend or your sibling. (insert awkward stories) Because when you're just minding your own business and all of a sudden someone comes up and asks you "Do you like him/her?" and 10 other people hear and look at you and wait for your response...it's not ok. Because then you can end up blushing and those people can tell other people and there's peer pressure...so unless it's a safe situation, spare that moment.

2. Smell good. Please shower. Please please please. I know you're staying up late doing homework and waking up before the rooster crows but take the time to at least shower and put some good smelly stuff on. Because the last thing you want to be in high school is "that kid who smells like he just rolled in garbage". So just trust me on this and have good hygiene.

3. Stay out of drama. If you go to school or hang out with lots of other people your age, there's bound to be drama. Even if you try your hardest to stay out of it or ignore that girl that's had 14 boyfriends - it's bound to hit you in the face sooner or later. Because as soon as you ask Suzy about her boy problems...you're her clutch-the person she complains to about everything. Blah blah blah. Or as soon as you listen to that cute boy talking about how he snuck out of his house over the weekend...you've heard it and you can't go back. So stick with the right crowd and get some friends that you know are good to be around.

4. Respect your parents. I cannot emphasize this enough. Now, my parents are great...and I really truly mean that. They're teaching me life lessons and being my best friends at the same time. But if you respect their decisions for you, as their child, and listen to them - they're going to do the same to you. They're going to realize that you know your boundaries and you're a good kid. Don't push it and ask to go to bad parties or sneak out of the house because that's how you get yourself in trouble. Because they're doing the best they can and the least you can do for them is say "ok mom/dad I understand".

5. Be original. Yeah yeah this is so cliche..."be yourself" yadda yadda yadda. You've heard it 1000 times. But no seriously. I don't care if you're with your best friend, at church, or by yourself...just be you. I've had troubles with this in the past and the last thing you want to be is the person you're not. Hiding under some fake mannequin. Sing in the shower, make stupid puns, wear your sparkly converse from 7th grade (ha funny story - I still do that), hang out with both genders, read a book - who cares if someone calls you a nerd, play a new sport, just make sure you're doing it all for you. Not me or that cute boy on the football team. YOU.

xoxo,
~Michlyn

Jessie!

My sister's best friend just got a puppy a couple months ago.

Oh my goodness gracious. The most. Adorable. Thing. Ever.

She used to be so small that she fit in your hand, but has grown to around 10 1lbs now. 4 months old.

Her name is Jessie.

Her bark is so cute that you actually laugh instead of scold her.

She has the cutest  little tongue and it's surprisingly very long.

She loves watching birds.

And she has the littlest and most adorable face.

When she wants to go to sleep, she just curls herself into a little ball and closes her eyes.

Love this dog so much!

~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

Things I've Realized {from Pinterest}

This post is mostly for fun. I've realized that Pinterest is really unrealistic...I know some people realize that right from the beginning, but it took me a little while.

I'm here to give you a few examples straight from my life.

Expectation//Reality

Everyone wants their Bible to look like that...c'mon admit it. And in real life mine (seriously) is brand new...got it for Easter. But I can't wait until it fills up.



 Expectation//Reality

Looking for a great picture with some beautiful sunlight? Yeah well really you're gonna get the snow stomped ground in the dead middle of winter and with the sun as my hat.

Expectation//Reality

Sometimes I also realize it's quality and critique. Because I promise I wore this before I saw this on pinterest... And yet the outfit on pinterest looks better. Weird.



Expectation//Reality

Now this picture is just adorable...love her glasses & her expression. Now me...it looks like I have a balloon in my mouth and I'm trying to hold my breath and not choke on it or something. Goodness gracious this is awkward. :)



 Expectation//Reality

Don't judge me for my apps. My brothers play more games than I do. So I saw this on pinterest and thought that would be so cute and fun to do. And then I realized how too incredibly lazy I am to do that. So my iPod will stay the same and look as if a 4 year old owns it.



Expectation//Reality
I have been loving the eye makeup I've been seeing on Pinterest recently. Then I realized I don't have the eye shadow, lashes, or talent to do any of them. So this is what you get. Oh and my eyes (or eye liner) don't look that disgusting in real life.

 

Thank you for listening to my realistic rant on how I spend my time! :)

~Michlyn

The Truth About Flirting

I thought this might be kind of a funny post to do, because as a teenage girl - I'm pretty familiar with flirting.

Of course I'm not saying I do this allll the time or I have guys falling at my feet. I do go to a public school and our classes are not segregated.

So here are some things that I notice with flirting:

#1 - Let me ask you a normal question. 
This is something I notice probably the most. A certain person might see you and then you start having a conversation. They'll start with asking you a basic question. "Hey what did we do in math today?" Then you answer the question and all of a sudden you're talking about your dreams when you graduate college, as you laugh and "they gaze into your eyes."

#2 - I'm going to be really sarcastic.
Something that I usually see the most in "couples" is sarcasm. Yes that might sound really boring or dumb, because sarcasm can be incredibly rude if you're not just joking with your friends and saying sarcastic things. "Did you finish the science project that was due today?" "No, I shredded into a million pieces and used it as confetti." And then they laugh and laugh and laugh.....

#3 - I whip my hair back and forth.
I personally usually do this with my {girl}friends because it's entertaining to mock girls who actually do this. A girl will stand there and flip her hair with her hand as she brags about how amazing the other person is...and how much she just loves playing football....*cough* when really he's just the star player on the school's team.

#4 - Call me maybe.
Ahh yes the familiar song by Carly Rae Jepsen. Fun at first & now....just no. Oh the pickup lines I have heard recently. Want their number? Think they're cute? Something like this might run along the lines of I'm going to say this cheesy pick up line and hope you think I'm drop dead amazing. "I was reading the book of Numbers last night and realized I didn't have yours." Singing the chorus of 'Call Me Maybe'. "Hey do you have a map, because I just got lost in your eyes."

#5 - SWAG.
Seen the boys with their pants under their butt, but yet are still wearing a belt? Big hoodies and "skater boy hair"? Flat brimmed hats and funky sunglasses? Yeah, some think that is what you call "swag". Apparently our society has become so confused that if someone isn't wearing the coolest clothes, then BOOM they're as ugly as your mom's old floral curtains.

To be completely honest, I've probably done at least two of these. And we must remember to think of the little things that count and that an outside appearance is not the whole package. :)

~Michlyn

Recovering

I'm still recovering from Christmas break and all it's lovely-ness. :)

I think I went through a mental shock when school started again.

Let me give you a little look into...

What Christmas Break is really like.....

The First Day:

Expectation: Everyone is all happy and cheerful...you talk about exciting things in all your classes and enjoy some Christmas gifts from friends.

Reality: You can hardly sit still long enough to endure that reeeaally long 50-ish minutes. A lot of teachers are crabby and impatient because they have to put up with psycho teenagers. You also have to turn in a paper, project, or presentation in almost every class.

Freedom:

Expectation: The last bell rings and everyone skips into the halls like magical elves. You gather your things, and say goodbye to your friends.

Reality: That final bell rings and people are everywhere. No lie. You can barely get your books and leave the class without being run over by a stampede. Fortunately, teachers decided to not assign homework and you get home to obnoxiously post all over facebook that Christmas break is HERE!

Christmas Celebrations:
Expectation: You're a teenager and you're as cool as a cucumber. You're excited for your gifts, but no need to show excitement.

Reality: You are so stinkin' excited for that one thing you KNOW you're gonna get that you almost pee your pants. Then, on Christmas Eve night you're just like a little kid waking up every hour and trying not to open your door to take a peek at the presents.

Post-Presents:
Expectation: You got a pile of presents and just don't know what to do with yourself. You explore and use every gift you got and are busy for days.

Reality: All the gifts you got are amazing. You were totally blessed! It's like waking up to a dream and you use your new things to get used to them.

Almost New Years:
Expectation: You've been building snow-forts, visiting family, saying endless thank-yous, and relaxing until you ring in the New Year.

Reality: You haven't gotten dressed for a week, probably haven't showered for a few days and are starting to smell like road-kill. Your room looks like an endless pit of dirty clothes, price tags, and boxes. So you decide to actually get ready and then sit on the couch with no where to go.

New Years Eve:
Expectation: You're going to someone's house to celebrate with your friends, play hilarious games, eat tons of food, and kiss that special someone when you see the ball drop on TV in Times Square.

Reality: You chill with some friends and people you just met. As you go into the frigid weather and freeze as you force yourself to have fun when someone asks you to go sledding. Then you overly stuff yourself with food, and choke down some cheap, fake champagne when the clock strikes midnight.

One. More. Day:
Expectation: Any homework that was assigned is finished, new outfit set aside for the return back to school, and you get yourself to bed nice and early for the busy day ahead.

Reality: All you really did for the past 2 days was sit at the computer for hours without end, watch some stupid TV, text some friends, and begin to start bad habits that could get you the name "couch potato". Then you go to bed at midnight and feel like a zombie when you try to wake up in the morning.

All together - The break from school and doing almost nothing everyday, was pretty nice! :)

~Michlyn

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

Best Friends | 2 Years

This is late again...just like last year, but I'm gonna post it anyway. (Last year's post is right here)

It's the "anniversary" of how long Beka & I have been friends.

2 years people!

Some of you follow her blog Black is a Color. She loves colors - hence the blog title.

We've actually known each other since we were really little, but once Beka started coming to our youth group...we connected again. We hung out more, talked more, went on our first youth trip/conference together, and continue to make way more memories! :)

It feels like forever and I don't know what I would do with out her. She's seen me at my worst and my very best and even at my middles. We tell each other everything and talk about EVERYTHING. From boys, to shopping, to the weird people we encounter, to pranks, to makeup, to youth group, to holidays, to family, to college, and everything in between.

We're basically like sisters. I just love all the memories we've made and things sure have changed... but I can remember quite a few things. A best friend is someone who does the weirdest things with you.

When we talked on the phone with people for 5 hours.
When we stayed up really late, ate pizza rolls, and dipped our feet in wax to make them softer.
When we played endless games of CLUE and MONOPOLY.
When we did a photo shoot at midnight and my feet nearly froze off.
When we went to a cousin's wedding and danced like no one was watching.
When we have sleepovers and end up smacking or kicking each other, during the night.
When we watch pointless videos and laugh like hyenas.
When we were really hyper and took pictures with your stuffed animal skunk.
When we wake-up in the morning and look like petrified squirrels and that's not even bad.
When we stayed up and just ate bowls and bowls of potato soup last year on New Years.
When we went to valleyfair and I stole a refill for our jumbo smoothie.
When we take retarded pictures and count them as ones that actually turned out.
When we slept in the jumpy castle at church and the monster came out of you because people woke us up.
When we scream like little girls playing the game 'sardines' in the dark church at the lock in.
When we went to Lincoln, Nebraska and heard "poking fun at" for the first time.
When we went out shopping with Anna and the employee at the restaurant said "jelly fish, jelly fish, jelly fish"
When we act like a 20 hour road trip is like a trip to town.
When we sing way off and my sister says we're stupid and sound like dying cows.
When we went for runs and then stopped at Dairy Queen for ice cream...pointless work out.
When we find random things on pinterest and end up failing miserably.
Etc...............................

Man, my life would be soooo boring if we weren't friends. :) Here's to friendship!
~Michlyn

Volleyball...is over :(

I said in my last post about volleyball that our season was now over.

I was so sad.

I miss it a lot but see my teammates all the time.

Here are some high lights from our season.

This was at our first tournament called the "Spike-Fest". We are "crunching", which means if the other team is blocking we should all be close to get the ball. It was fun yelling "CRUNCH" because no other team knew what we were talking about - it was our own word. 

That would be me in the white jersey, passing the ball to our setter.

This is us praying...we would always start praying when there was about 1 minute left on the clock for warm-ups. I don't go to a Christian school but I am so blessed to be on a team with this amazing group of girls.

This was us doing our line up, to begin the game. They announce the starters and we each have our own little action to show the crowd. My friend Monica's was to do the "tebow". :)

This is the varsity team - we all did our hair the same this game (we actually tried to do it the same every game) and all wore our sweatshirts. I'm the one in the red jeans :)

One of my VERY favorite pictures from the season. It was a small group of us that were laying down after a game at our tournament. We had left the school by 8 am and were really tired - but pyshed at the same time!

I AM SO THANKFUL I GOT TO PLAY ON THIS TEAM, AND LOOK FORWARD TO 2 MORE YEARS! ALL THE CRAZY LAUGHING, INSIDE JOKES, AND MISCHEVIOUS PRANKS WILL ALWAYS BE STUCK IN MY HEAD AS MEMORIES. I LOVE YOU GIRLS! 

~Michlyn

P.S. Here is a video that we took of our "let's get pumped"! We would do this before almost every game, and since this school had showers...we decided to make it a little more interesting. :)

I tried to make it smaller, but it didn't work.

Awkward and Awesome

My good friend Brooke did this yesterday - Even though she did it on Friday, I thought I could still do it on a Saturday. :)

Awkward ---

So I'm in Language class (English - whatever it's called) and we're having this discussion. We've been talking about notes, lectures, and discussions all week long. Then, finally our teacher says "Ok we're going to have a class discussion on the notes we took about water conservation. Oh and I want to hear everyone say something." Me in my mind: "What?! I don't want to say something, I have to wait for the perfect timing to say something." We eventually start the conversation, and lots of people are saying things - funny and actually smart things too. There are 4 topics that we're talking about, and we get to the 3rd one. A couple of my friends in class: "Michlyn!! Go for it! Just make something up." Me in my mind: "Oh crap, what the heck am I going to say? Just stall as long as possible." Anyway, I finally have to say something - What I planned on saying: "Water conservation is really important. We should really pay attention to the shortages that could happen in the future. The people who wrote these papers study water, and we never really do - so it doesn't seem as important to us." What I actually said: "Well it's good to um.. to pay attention to water shortages... and we like...we don't want that to happen... but like we um... we don't really know... or um... well we don't study it...and idk it's just...yeah." SMOOTH Michlyn real nice future you got in public speaking.

Awesome ---

• Pretty much all my homework is simple.
• Got to babysit all day with my sister Erin, and had a lot of fun 
• School has been weirdly crazy and fun - Even though some days I could fall asleep on my desk for the whole hour, as the rest of my group talks about shoes, sports, and other off-topic things.
• Volleyball has been sooo great, and I'm loving it.
• My family is incredible and I just love them!
• Instagram is becoming a common thing for me -- uh oh another addiction! :)
• I LOVE MY FRIENDS!
• I'm excited to do an upcoming Fall photo shoot with my best friend!!
• I've regularly been keeping up on my devotions, and it's been so great to read what's in God's word for us every single day!

Well that is my awkward and awesome Saturday! 

Hope you all have a great rest of your weekend!

~Michlyn