The little red head girl (that's gonna be my sister)

Most of you are aware that my brother moved out to Oakland, CA last year to work for the Oakland A's. At the time, my family and I, and even Mike, weren't sure what would come out of this. I mean, what else would you expect moving across the country to a town where you have no friends, connections, or a clue? There was a reason Mike was hired, and God had a plan for him. We just didn't know what that was yet. However, knowing my brother, he made this work for him.

And in comes the little red head girl from California (if you're a fan of the Peanuts comics like I am, you'll get the reference). My brother met Marissa about a year ago, and have been officially dating since March. I remember when my mom and I were first introduced to her. It was during the Winter Blast from last March when Leelanau County got dumped on with 2 feet of snow in one night and the power and cell towers were out everywhere. We texted Mike a picture of how much snow there was, and how "jealous" he should be of us. He called later that day saying he was at the zoo with Marissa, and put her on the phone to talk with my mom. He also sent a picture later that night, and my mom and I weren't really sure what to think of it.
It was a completely new concept for my brother to have a girlfriend. I don't mean this to be insulting; it is more of the fact that I wasn't use to my brother having a girlfriend he was so smitten with. It was interesting hearing about their dating adventures, especially since Marissa has a large family that is super close. It was also weird that she was calling him her 'Prince Charming'.

Well, after about 8 months in Oakland, Mike finally decided to come back to Leelanau County because he missed his little sister too much (okay he actually came back for a friend's wedding, but I imagine that he missed me too). I wasn't sure what to expect that he wanted Marissa to come and visit our family. This was my first time truly meeting her. She felt like a member of the family immediately. There were some instances where we clicked as if we were actual sisters, even pointing out my brother's cheesy lines to try to impress Marissa! We even went to Mackinac Island as a "family", and she actually tolerated traveling with my family. A good sign so far.
I've also been talking with a lot of my friends about my brother and his girlfriend how smitten they are with each other. I figured my brother was going to ask her to marry him sometime soon, and by soon I mean around the summertime. Much sooner than my parents were expecting. Boy were we wrong.
When I was on Facebook last night, I noticed an ominous status update from my mom on her Facebook (which served as a spoiler alert):

"Dear Facebook Friends - I need your help . . . Where do I buy a mother of the groom dress?"

I figured my mom was trying to get ahead of the game. However, it puzzled me as to why she would post something like this. I called her and she told me the news. Unfortunately my mom spoiled the surprise for me, since Mike was going to call me later that night. Needless to say I was speechless, and pleasantly shocked! I called my brother and talked with my future sister in law as well! All I could say was how happy I was for them and I can't wait for the wedding! I was speechless and like "holy mankind I'm going to have a sister!" I then proceeded to text pretty much everyone in my phone to let them know I was finally going to have a sister.

Based on this picture alone, my brother knows how to pick them. Not only the location, but the ring and of course the girl! Also, wise decision on his part having someone take a photograph; I'm impressed he thought of that! This just proves that although you don't know what God has in store for you, he knows what is best for you and he will not let you down. I wish the very best for both of you, and I can't for Marissa to be a full member of the family. We need more women in the family to balance out the sport watching, hunting crazed men in our family.

Big Brother Returns (Not the Show)

Happy Monday! After you're done reading this I'll be on my way to Grand Rapids for the school year!!!!

Not According to Plan

I'm done with summer school! Sweet freedom!

Er, sortof.

Journey of Life

Serenity Prayer:

"God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannto change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference."

It's the start of Exam Cram. I'm not as worried about my exams as usual. I'm getting more worried about other useless things: flying on a plane, finding a job for next fall, and of course, my accounting class. I spend most of my time worrying about the future that I sometimes forget how far I've come in my life so far, especially from one year ago.
At this time last year, I was getting ready for my oldest brother Mike to graduate, trying to grow my hair out from a previous bad haircut, preparing for my first summer away from college, that kind of stuff. I had a general idea of what I wanted to do that year in the future, but let's be honest, I wasn't expecting much of myself. I got cocky, assuming everything would work out without putting much thought or effort into ii. I was very reluctant of my summer job (as my manager put it "bitter", ugh I hate that word) and having to live at home away from my friends in college. Of course I had hopes and dreams, but they were nothing compared to now.
Looking back on all that has happened so far this year, it's hard to believe how much I've truly changed in just one year. Everyone says the first year of college is when you start to grow up, but for me, I don't think that was the case at all. It was mostly this year, my sophomore year, when I realized what I have to offer the world and what I want to potentially do with my life. I've been more grateful for things in my life, and learned that not everything is going to go your way. People have always said that but I'm starting to realize just how true it actually is. Don't get me wrong I still don't fully know what I want to do with the rest of my life, but I do know what I don't want to do and that I need to be my own person, so that's a start.....
Of course I have had some difficult times this past school year: a horrid living situation the first part of the year, losing some good friends, not getting to be on court for Michigan Apple Queen, accounting (yes it's that bad), losing my dog Mac, having my brother move all the way across the country for a job, etc. But even through those hardships, my faith in both God and myself have guided me through those difficult times. I've met new people in my life who not only challenge me, but also teach me to be a better person. With God's help, I've grown (and will still grow) in courage, wisdom, and acceptance.

April showers

I'll miss you big brother

Sorry it's been a while since I last posted, lots of things going on in my life. Namely, the new year and my brother moving to Oakland, CA. Normally as the first post of the year people reflect on how they want to keep their resolutions and how different the year promises to be. Since Mike is moving, that will be a big change in my life. He recently got a job working with the Oakland Athletics. Before he lived in Grand Rapids and worked a bunch of part time jobs.