Spring

Every year, I can't decide whether I'm a bigger fan of Fall or Spring. But, when May rolls around, I know why spring is always in the fight for being my favorite season. Michigan has beautiful day's in May, today being no exception. It has days that are perfect to be outdoors, without the overwhelming amount of heat (and humidity) like the later months of summer. And it's the month that kicks off summer, where the months are spent traveling and seeing people that we don't get to see during other times of the year, laying out at Lake Michigan, and playing at cottages with family and friends (when we aren't working of course). Can you tell, I can't wait? Especially since this little girl is now part of our family!

This is Roo, my family's new yellow lab pup. She's a cutie, isn't she? And yes, I'm completely smitten by her. She is now 9 and a half weeks old and showing she has quite the personality. This summer with her should be quite the show. Let's just say that she knows she is cute, and she has a little sass to her. Our 13 year old Jack Russell Terrier, Iggy, tolerates her and basically only "plays" with her in the sense that he allows her to chew on his collar. But she has made a couple of other friends that WILL play with her. One is a cute 6 mo. old black lab named MJ, and the other is a bigger version of herself (see picture below), named Libbi, who happens to be the reason my little sister wanted to get a yellow lab in the first place.

I've gotten to spend a good chunk of time with her, thanks to my little sister, Sami, having knee surgery in Indianapolis to repair her torn ACL. Which leaves me to be the only child in our family who HASN'T torn their ACL, and I'd like to keep it that way. The Shelbourne Clinic, where Sami had her surgery, is awesome. It is where Molly, and a few other friends have gone to have their ACL surgery done, all having great results and a speedy recovery back into their sports. Sami is doing well with the rehab and gets to walk around. If everything goes as planned, she'll be ready to go for all of her fall sports that start off her senior year of high school. And I'm not even going to think about it being her senior year, because it makes me feel like I'm getting old....haha.

Well, I'm off to get my life together before I start a three in a row at work. Sorry if I fall off the face of the earth for a while. Be back Saturday ;). Have a wonderful rest of your week and enjoy these BEAUTIFUL May days!

Is it really May?

Oh my gosh, I really can't believe it is May.  So much that has happened in the last couple months. From these things, March and April flew by and the next thing I know, it's 2am on Wednesday, May 2.  I realize that I haven't really said much about what has been going on in my life lately. A lot of thing have happened. Bittersweet and wonderful all the same. I have been shown the power of love and how it really has the ability to do the most amazing things.

The month of May also has another significance to me, the one year mark of being a Hope College Alumni, aka a college grad. On my way to work yesterday afternoon, I realized it feels normal to be in the "real world." Took a while, obviously, but, for me, I think everything had to come full circle to really feel it complete in my book. The moment struck me as I was thinking about my week, and how I am planning on going to the MIAA conference track meet this Friday. This is by far my favorite meet of the year. Two days long, and full of excitement.  *Side note: If you've never been to a meet, you're really missing out I know, you might be saying "no, i'm really not," But actually, you are. Take my word for it. And if you want to see a good Hope/Calvin rivalry. Right here. Go Hope!*   Anyway, it hit me why I love this meet so much. I got to soak in the end of the school year with my friends, being part of a sport that is near to my heart. And it was SO much fun. Now, almost a year after my last one, I realize it feels normal to be a spectator and not a participant. Yes, its a litte bit of a bummer because Hope is so near and dear to my heart in so many ways, but it shows me that I'm one year out of school, and doing ok on my own. The real world didn't eat me alive. I have a job I like and continue to get better at each day, I still am surrounded by wonderful people that support me, and my faith is strong and continuing to grow. New challenges are always popping up, and balancing them can get a little tricky, but I'm learning. I've learned to give a lot of it to God, because in reality, the things I can't control, fix, help, comfort, etc., are the ones that get at me the most. I am looking forward for what is to come, because in all reality, I don't know what God has planned. But I trust Him,  knowing He knows what I need better than I do.

So if you're reading this, and you're in your last week of school, cherish the moments. Ok, yes the studying and exams might not be ideal, but remember, you're not going to be in this place, with the same people ever again. Yes, Hope (or wherever else) will still be there, but the all the people there right now, won't be in this one place at the same time again. In other words, savor every last drop you have left before parting ways into the real world. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Well I think it's time for bed, my sleep schedule and I are NOT best friends right now, so fingers crossed I sleep for more than 3 hours without waking up. Wishful thinking, I know.

Have a great week!