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

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

Senior Summer

I live a crazy, beautiful life. Soaking up the sunshine. Working hard. Seeing friends & family. Enjoying my post senior year summer.

starbucks for lunch after a 5am shift.

baseball game with Megan.

sunset on the way home from work.

moments like this.

 fourth of july.

road trips.

You can follow along with my busy life at smalltowngirl_michlyn.

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

Challenge 2014

This year, my sister Erin and I went on a trip with our youth group to Kansas City, Missouri for a week. It was amazing, life changing, stretching, and moving. I loved every bit of the trip and seeing how God used everybody to do His work and to reach others about his love and mercy.

5,300 + teenagers
1,000 + leaders / youth pastors
39 states + singapore & austraila
7 fantastic speakers
2 incredible bands
vans, buses, and planes

...and we all came together to serve our amazing Jesus, learn about his restoration, reach the community of Kansas City, worship Him with our praise, and come together as the body of Christ to His work. I can't begin to describe this trip to you...It was a "had to be there experience". We did service work like painting houses, picking up trash, and landscaping. We met new people from different states and exchanged jokes about accents from Minnesota, Nebraska, and Texas. :) It was an unforgettable trip because it involves unique opportunities that you can only experience at the Challenge Conference. It's an unbelievable time.

So instead of me continuing to blabber on about it, here's some pictures for you to look at and see if you can gather why you must get yourself to a Challenge conference before you graduate high school. The next one is in Louisville, Kentucky in July of 2016 so make sure you talk to your youth pastor and get you & your youth group there. You won't regret it.

Service projects, playing card games, late night girl talk in our hotel rooms, j-walking because we're too impatient for crosswalk lights, worshiping Jesus with an Irish band, learning new songs with a band from our home state (MN proud), taking too many pictures, swimming, doing prayer walks around the city in 102F heat, meeting new friends, tweeting #ChallengeKC 5 times a day, long bus ride memories, growing more in my faith, and learning more about my restoration in Christ...would not even sum up Challenge but it's close enough. :)

Our youth group also stopped at Adventure Land in Des Moines, Iowa for some amusement park fun after a crazy week and it was awesome!

We serve one amazing God and I'm so excited to travel to Louisville in 2016 as Challenge staff!

Restored.
Live the story. Tell the story.

xoxo,
~Michlyn

Brothers

I love my brothers.

They do everything together.

Play, paint, fight, build, learn, and imagine.

They get along so well. (most of the time)

They make us laugh and are each other's best friends.

I can't imagine my life without my crazy little bros.

...who are actually not so little anymore.

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Stopping By

Hey everyone,

I know I haven't been around here this summer, but I'm coming back! Life has been crazy and messy and chaotic but in the midst of all that, I've really missed writing. Blogging, especially, is a stress reliever for me because it's something I love to do, it passes time, and it's fun. Plus I have all you wonderful followers who take the time to read and skim through my little blog. :)

What have I been up to? Keeping myself busy as always, there's never too many dull moments in my life. I've been working a lot, babysitting, getting back into shape for volleyball, going to the beach, playing volleyball, drinking too much coffee, had my senior pictures taken, having youth group bonfires, and spending time at home with my family.

Here's a sneak peak of my senior pics - Look around the blog, there's a few more

All pictures belong to Bees Knees Photography - Please don't copyright or steal them. 

This summer hasn't been too crazy and there's still some things I need to do before it's over! I can't believe August is only 10 days away...Time slips away too fast. I recently took a trip to Kansas City with my youth group and that was incredible! (post on that really soon) Still need to do the annual trip to Valleyfair, have a couple more bonfires, and definitely go to the beach more. Unfortunately, where I live, it's not as hot and sunny as I'd like it to be in the summer but when the sun does come out, the beach is a must.

Ok well that's all for now...I hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Get outside, don't scroll through twitter or facebook for very long ;)

Have a fabulous day!
~Michlyn

Summer 2014

Hi everyone! I know I've been slacking a little in the blogging world, but I'm back :) 12 days ago, summer offcially started!

It blows my mind that Summer 2014 is actually here...Junior year was one of the fastest, most memorable, and craziest years ever! I'm so incredibly blessed by everything and everyone that is in my life.

So here's a little traditional Instagram Rewind to start my summer of blogging :)

Main stream selfie sunday// My sister Erin & I on Easter// Me and my crazy dad...love him//

Throwback with my sweet momma for Mother's Day// Selfie #2// Last day of school pictures// The best friend//

Another best friend graduating this year// Starting summer off right with a Caribou smoothie// first summer baseball game w/ the girls

xoxo,
~Michlyn

Valleyfair 2013

So here in my wonderful (yet crazy weather) state, we have an amusement park & it's called Valleyfair!!!

I've been going ever since I was probably 5 years old...from the Frog Hop to the Wild Thing, I treasure some of my favorite memories from this great and thrilling place. Both of my parents love roller coasters and I appropriately gained that gene. :)

And being the extra awesome parents they are - They got our church's 15 passenger van, packed a picnic, and took my sister Erin, me, and 8 of our friends this past Saturday for 12 whole hours at Valleyfair!

There are usually 5 guys and 5 girls, but when there are 2 groups of sisters we out-number the guys. :) And one of the guys is missing because he was camping with his family. But it was still such a fun day!

We are no ordinary bunch of friends. We entertain each other, can talk forever, tease each other, and laugh until our heads are ready to explode. We have inside jokes and all get along. My life would be so boring without these friends. 

Everyone...meet The Posse! 

This day was perfect. The weather was great, we rode the Wild Thing over 10 times, took ridiculous pictures, ate too much, and walked around until 10 o'clock at night. And from the caption above, yes, we have named ourselves "The Posse" because that seemed to suit us the best.

xoxo,

~Michlyn

At the Moment

I've been a little busy with being a crew leader at VBS, working, scrolling pinterest, volleyball, and sucking every great moment until summer is over. :(

So I thought I would update until I have my next photoshoot or event.

1. Wearing - sweats & a t-shirt

2. Eating - crackers

3. Listening to - True Love by Pink

4. Drinking - Water

5. Needing - to get one more good tan before school starts

6. Feeling - Sore & tired but I'm happy :)

7. Thinking of - my friends that I miss so much & can't wait to see again!

8. Weather - Cool & partly sunny

9. Doing - Relaxing all day until I have to babysit late tonight

10. Wanting - to get somethings checked off my to-do list

11. Enjoying - How busy I've been! Want to pack in as many things as possible for the rest of the summer!

Have you been busy this summer? Anyone else dreading school?

 xoxo,

~Michlyn

Summer is Flying By

I don't know about the rest of you, but the fact that it is already July 18th just scares me. What happened to June? Why did it leave us so fast? Just hoping August doesn't sneak up on us like July did.

I've done so many fun things this summer! It's really been all about making memories! I've been hanging out with a lot of my friends and I've had the best times. :) Thought I'd give you a little instagram catch up & then give you the rest of my summer check list.

the summer started out incredibly rainy// rain go away selfie// babysitting// blind makeovers with Beka//

big sister's wedding// tanning :)// back to the 50's car show// bonfire// 

mango arizona tea...delicious// devotions// caribou coffee cooler - life is a journey// sparklers on the 4th of july

movie night with my sister Erin & mom and dad// the best lemonade ever// sunset after watching soccer// favorite shoes this summer

Checklist of stuff that I want to do before summer ends:

- Sleepover and fun day with Beka!

- Finish a few more goals from my 13 in 2013 list

-Go to Bunker Beach

-Photoshoot with my favorite girlfriends

-Hang out with my cousins and grandparents

-See Despicable Me 2

-Another fun bonfire night with friends from school

-Go shopping

-Re-do my family's blog

-Go to Valleyfair 

What have you been up to this summer? What's on your fun to-do list?

~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

New Orleans - One Year Ago

Wow. Time does fly. I mean it must seriously grow wings and fly faster than we think.

One year ago today I was stepping off of a coach bus with 42 other students. Pillow and carry-on bag in my hand, best friend and sister by my side, searching for my dad in the crowd of parents.

It was such a journey. An incredible experience. When I look back and see the pictures, read the posts, and watch the videos...I just want to go back. That week was unforgettable. There were some bumps (big ones) but we got through it and glorified God at the same time.

Strength. That's one word I want to use to describe my youth group. We lost our youth pastor around 13 months and now we have a new and incredibly awesome one. But we seriously have been through a lot. Something we always point out is say how "cliquey" or "snotty" we are compared to other youth groups. Yes, there are some weaknesses. Our strength though...literally, IS strength.

That trip transformed the way we saw each other. Whether most of us forgot about it or it washed away...it's true.

And today I'm especially remembering some of the best times of my life! God has richly blessed me with more support, friends, and love than I could ever have thought of. Now for the throwback.....

These pictures bring back so many laughs, hand raising in worship, crazy bus rides, and growing 

in my faith with some of my favorite people on earth!

xoxo,

~Michlyn

P.S. If you want to read more about my New Orleans trip you can start here or here or just watch the video here! 

Right Now...

I've been a little busy with reading, enjoying the great weather (finally), and going to a wedding! (more on that soon)

So I thought I'd give you a small post to read for now. :)

1. Wearing - work out shorts & a t-shirt

2. Eating - pizza

3. Listening to - Mirrors by Justin Timberlake

4. Drinking - Water

5. Needing - a tan

6. Feeling - happy but have a slight headache

7. Thinking of - my friends that I miss so much & haven't seen yet this summer.

8. Weather - HOT & sunny

9. Doing - Relaxing after working all day

10. Wanting - to go shopping

11. Enjoying - just the summer in general. I've loved the break from school :)

Hope this post finds all of my wonderful followers well and that your summer is going splendid as well!

 Love to all!

~Michlyn

Annnndd School is OUT!

Wow guys...I'm actually done with school. My sophomore year of high school is over.

I'm officially a junior. Whoa. Crazy. Scary. Sort of.

And I think it was my favorite year of high school so far. Last year it was my first year back to school after being homeschooled for 2 years. So this year I knew a lot more people and I was more comfortable. I got to know so many more people this year, started playing volleyball again on our school's team, and actually had a social life. :)

Here are only a few of my favorite memories of the year. Of course I don't take pictures of everything (need to work on that) so it's just somethings that were my favorite and came to mind.

Me #1:::Official varsity jersey:::driving to school early:::volleyball girls - my team praying:::

blogging:::getting my license:::Snowdaze 2013:::snowtubing with friends:::

watching basketball & baseball games w/ friends:::growing in my faith:::my good friend Jake & I on field day:::Me # 2

My last day of Sophomore year included:

Dressing up with my best friend and going to the last baseball game of the school year! We had tons & tons of fun!! Now it's on to SUMMER 2013...Prepared to make this the best summer yet!

~Michlyn

3 Days...

A little catch-up from 10 Days...

Spanish Oral Test ✔

Biology Final ✔

Spring Choir Concert ✔

Add in another baseball game, driving around actually feeling like "a real teenager", and more sibling soccer and there's my life for the next 3 days! Wooooo SUMMER is almost here!!!!!!!!!!!

Just 2 more finals, one project, and singing at graduation! :) Hope your summer is going well or will come quickly.

~Michlyn

Catchin' up on Instagram

Hey.

So I'd thought I'd give you a little catch up on my instagram since the beginning of April.

I really don't know if people really like seeing my instagram pics, but it's a fun place to document them.

Anyway if you don't have an instagram you can click right about........here! And that will bring you right to my page. :)

So here's a great big collage for you that's full of random pictures from my life.

driving my brothers around for a fun day//started running again//outfit//bff Beka and me//

fishie necklace my grandma made//district blitz conference//sister and friends at a hotel//my Bible//

band The Neverclaim//beautiful sun//playing Candy land with my brother//my best friend trying a food for the first time//

black&white selfie//baseball game for my school @ the metrodome//another selfie//Megan & I on field day//beautiful sista Erin

And that would sum bits and pieces up of my crazy life. Thanks for following along! :)

~Michlyn

Field Day 2013

Our school is K-12th.

And every year there is an annual Secondary Softball Tournament, (7-12th graders) otherwise know as Field Day.

Every advisory (home room) makes shirts and plays as a team against the other advisories. 

It's a lot of fun, and this year was no different. The weather took a while to warm up, but everyone had a BLAST!

Although my advisory placed second to last it was still fun! :) Bring it on 2014!

~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

Enjoying

I have been enjoying my last bits of Summer around the house. I also started volleyball practice last week, so I will definitely post about that, probably once school gets started. :)

Helping braid my littlest sister's hair 

Chinese food for dinner

Playing "Where's My Water?"... makes you think. I like games like that

Doing my own hair :)

What have you been up to?

~Michlyn