Life as it is

I've always heard the phrase "time flies" and within the last year of my life I fully believe it does. Our lives are nothing but time...Sometimes when you have a long shift at work, the time feels slow or when you're having fun with your friends, you forget about the time and soon enough 5 hours has passed. What we choose to do with our time is all up to us.

In the last few months (!!!!) that I've been absent from my blog - my life has changed and I've been shaping my decisions around my future. Nothing huge or exciting has happened, but through time, people and different elements of life tend to shift. Through these changes, I'm focused more on myself, my education, and what God wants me to do for His kingdom. So I thought I'd journal what I've been up to lately and give you a glimpse of my busy life.

This Summer, I'm working 3 jobs and trying to fit in some fun things too. I'm just trying to keep busy and put some money away before college starts again in the Fall. I nanny 3 days a week, drive to the cities and work at my university one day a week, and also have a retail job on days that I can fit in an extra shift.

Once August comes, my "big sister", Josi, will be moving out and headed across the world for an international teaching job. We're so proud of her and know she will excel at everything she does. Then a couple weeks later, my sister, Erin, will also move out and head south, 3 hours from home, for her first year of college. And finally, a week after her, I will head back to UNW for my Sophomore/Junior year of college. Such a crazy busy time for our family, but we know that God will be faithful through all of those transitions.

Here are some pictures of my summer so far!

Do you see a common theme? Pictures of me & my sister? Yeah that's because we're dreading the fall when we go our separate ways, so every chance we get, we go do something fun!

Otherwise, I'm spending time with friends, going to a million grad parties every weekend, and hanging out with my family & our dogs.

Just taking in life as it is & all the time I've been given. I'll be back soon.

xoxo,

Michlyn

An Open Letter to my High School Best Friends

I recently read this post and thought why not write my own letter.
Because I'm gonna be honest. I. Miss. High. School. So. Much.

These girls were my everything. My support, my laughs, boy talk, pizza lovers, terrible dancers, and adventurers.
So here's to them and their beautiful futures.

The Laughs

Thank you for the endless laughs. The last minute sleepovers and girls nights. For helping me eat an entire pizza & cheesecake. For passing out on the couch because it was past 1am and we had just finished a dance party. For the "hot tub of truth" where we told our secrets and trusted each other to never tell anyone.

Memories

Freshman to Senior year - you girls are apart of my favorite memories. Color coordinating our dresses for Snowdaze. Taking pictures together before Prom. Dominating an entire lunch table Sophomore year because we didn't want to sit with anyone else. When we were the most athletic girls in gym class because we actually took the ridiculous "volleyball session" seriously. Always trying to sit next to each other in choir so we could actually learn the song correctly. Making signs for our friends and holding them up in the stands when they won their section title game.

Opportunities

Getting to go on my senior trip and enjoy every part of it with you by my side. Graduating high school with all of you in the auditorium with me. Learning how to drive and getting our first cars to carpool every where together. We made the varsity team together and played side by side on the court. Celebrating our birthdays, first jobs, first kisses. I'm thankful that I got to experience the best moments of my life with you girls.

What I Missed

Sorry I wasn't there for you when you broke up with your boyfriend. Sorry we only hung out once over the summer because we were "too busy". I'm sorry I missed your last high school basketball game. I wish I was there when you found out you got into your dream college. I wish I could have punched the guy that broke your heart. I wish I hadn't missed so much.

For the Future

So. To your beautiful journeys ahead. I wish you the best. I hope you can reach a 4.0 gpa. I hope you find new friends that make your heart happy and make you laugh. I hope you're never afraid to hold back and to fight for what you believe in. I wish you the best 4 years in college; I know you'll do great, just like you did in high school. Drink lots of coffee, buy lots of clothes, go on as many adventures as you can. I know you'll achieve great things.

Dedicated to the girls that stood by me in everything. My life wouldn't have been as exciting or fulfilling without all of you as my sidekicks.

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

Change

Hey everyone! 

Phew it's been quite a while since I've been able to sit down and actually get my fingers to type words. I meant to get a couple posts out weeks ago, but you know how life is and priorities get straightened out. So blogging unfortunately is at the bottom of my to-do list these days leaving this blog empty.

I can't tell you guys how much it means to me that people take the time out of their day to read about my crazy life, deep life moments, and the fun I have along the way. This time in my life has shown me how incredibly grateful I am for everyone and everything around me. For the people that came to my grad party, for my family who has helped me get closer to my dreams and supported me, my best friends for making me laugh on days when I most need it, for blogger friends that encourage me from thousands of miles away, and my Jesus that oversees my life and knows what's coming next even when I don't.

Lately, I've been struggling with a great deal of nerves and anxiousness about the changes in my life. In exactly one month I'll move onto my college campus - living away from my family (longer than a few days) for the first time. I've been so so excited throughout the past year to be going to my dream school and getting to pursue teaching - something I've wanted to do since I was 9 yrs old. But just as the countdown gets lower and lower, my heart starts beating faster and faster. Don't get me wrong, I'm still very excited but I just think expecting the unexpected is a little hard right now.

The day after I move out, I'll also be trying out for UNW's varsity volleyball team. Whether it means I make the team or it's not for me - it will be ok. I know that I'd like to give it a shot and try my best instead of not trying at all. But I think those 48 hours of complete change will be very hard but also very rewarding and I can't wait to see what God has in store for my future as an Eagle.

Otherwise, if you're wondering how my summer has been going so far - it's been wonderful! I've been trying to see my friends as much as possible, before we go our different ways and enjoying each day. Trying to help my family juggle our busy schedules and also soaking in the time with them before I leave. I'm working 2 jobs this summer to try and save a little money for college expenses in the fall but also to have a little fun too.

As you can see, I haven't really had the words (or time) to say what's on my mind but I hope this post finds all my followers well and enjoying the summer. If you're in my boat - just know you're not alone! Being nervous about college is normal but also stay excited - you never know what the future will hold.

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Heartstrings.

              {one year ago}

They had grown close. He had undeniable charm and her smile took it all in. A 5 month friendship that grew to something a little more. They were complete opposites. He drank on the weekends and she went to church every Sunday. Somehow they interchangeably became an important part of each others' lives. A drunk kid on the phone with the girl he liked for 4 hours turned into sober heart to heart conversations. Soon enough he took her very first kiss on his couch. This fascination with each others' minds and lives and the advice they gave each other. They thought it was love. It was risky and passionate. She thought sneaking away to see him would make it more fun instead of creating boundaries.

She's screaming. Her mom won't stop telling her to stay away from him. He's not good news. His reputation is bad and he doesn't care about you. She's crying. Trying to explain how she feels without contradicting her words. Her heart is throbbing in her chest, almost as much as her throat is from screaming. Trying to deny that he was toxic for her. But inside she knew him and his past. He just kept drawing her back in.

His name popped up on her phone. 

"Are we okay? I feel like I messed up."

"What do you mean you messed up?"

"It was just one night when I was upset. I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt you."

"Whatever. I thought you were different now."

Heartbroken. Her mom was always right. She couldn't deny it any longer. The passion, happiness, what they thought was love...was not. Tears stained her pillow night after night until she realized it wasn't worth it. She wrote him letters that never got sent. Her mind raced with memories and her heartstrings ached. How was she going to move past this. Someone she thought made her feel so special, so alive. She moved on and kept going. Life didn't stop and month after month went by with an emptiness still inside her. Eventually, strength and independence coursed through her. She would know what happiness felt like again. It wasn't because of a person or a moment...it was because she was living her life and doing things for herself. But she couldn't help but think it was because of the heartstrings he pulled, that actually made her realize how strong she could actually be.

One Reason.

In the last month I have applied to three different places for a part time job. Some place where I will enjoy working, the people around me, and that has a flexible work schedule so I can balance it with school.

I got a call last week from a retail store about 20 minutes from my house that was interested in interviewing me for a job. I was so excited! So I called back and scheduled an interview for last Friday. The interview was with a group of about 5 other people and we all had a chance to answer some basic questions. Next, we filled out some paperwork and then were sent home about an hour later.

Today I heard back from them and got offered a job! I accepted and am so excited to start working there! Orientation is next week and then I will begin soon after that :) So thankful for this oppurtunity and that I am seen as a capable and good person for their company.

One reason to be happy today.

xoxo,

~Michlyn

First Day of Spring!

Here's to the first day of Spring 2014!

So happy the weather is getting warmer, the snow is melting, and I'm starting to see the sunshine again. This winter has been snowy and cold enough and I'm so thankful that it's coming to an end. Plus that means only about 9 weeks of school left...yay! :)

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Throwback

xoxo,

~Michlyn

The New Year

2014 has brought a whole different adventure of busy and crazy into my life. I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't have something to do...even if I say I'm bored there's probably something that I could do to keep me busy. Obviously blogging has not been one of those things that I've chosen to do ;)

Some current things in my life right now --

Our school's Snowdaze dance is exactly one week away...

I'm managing the boy's basketball team at this year...

Waiting for my best friend to finish reading Divergent so I can borrow it from her...

Planning a trip with my youth group in July...

My family needs to move by the end of May...

There is constantly something new that pops up in my life and sometimes it's stressful and hard and sometimes it's good and exciting. One thing I can always count on is prayer and knowing that our Saviour with get me through anything and that His plan is always better than mine. :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their January so far. I'll be back soon!

xoxo,
~Michlyn

Word Lovin'

You've read about it...I've mentioned it more than once. My life has been stressful and crazy. The thing is I'm trying to look past all the overwhelming details and trying to focus on the goals I want to accomplish. Lately, I've read some great posts that have really spoken to me and inspired me. I thought I'd share them here and maybe someone else would find them encouraging as well. :)

According to Em: Finding Joy 

Emalee is a lifestyle blogger who loves fitness, makeup, and cats! Her post was especially encouraging because it seemed like she was talking to me when I read it. Definitely worth your time.

Paper Raindrops: Little Things

Inna is a b.e.a.utiful writer. I can't even. The way she words her posts just makes everything sound so beautiful. I love reading what she has to say about life and her adventures. And no this post isn't about One Direction's song - So go read what it's all about.

A Beautiful Heart: Proof of Your Love

Jenna is a personal style blogger but also writes about bible studies, travel, and life adventures. She wrote this post last month and it's great. It talks about God's love and how we would be nothing without Him. Go check it out!

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

Photoshoot {Tareh Jo}

This rarely happens, but I took my youngest sister out to our small, fenced-in backyard and decided to snap a few photos of her.

They turned out pretty darn well if I do say so myself. :) So here they are!

 She didn't really feel up to it...and that's kind of frustrating. But we worked through it.

Tried a couple different poses in a couple different places with a couple different hairstyles. (if you couldn't tell)

But there were definitely some favorites! Towards the end, I think she may or may not have actually been enjoying it.

My mom does a fantastic job on her hair, doesn't she?! And for some reason I was loving the pink!

I will admit her eyes are pretty gorgeous.

Ahhh...I just love this pose! It's so her "style".

And that concludes all the wonderful editing I've been doing for the past week! (excuse the massive sun flare in the middle of the pic)

xoxo,

~Michlyn

300th Post!

IT'S MY 300TH POST! Wow.

You all are wonderful! You keep me going. Give me encouraging and thoughtful comments. Follow along.

It's fun! :) And I just hit 50 followers!!!!!

Here's to another 300! 

~Michlyn