Letters!

Between my online classes and work I have been super busy and slacking on blogging...I'll pick up after June 25, I promise! This is just a quick one today (just long enough to distract me from my paper to get a fresh string of ideas when I get back to it. ugh.)

My brother (& twin) is in the NROTC which in a nutshell, means he's training during school to be in the Navy (technically now he's a Marine) while taking regular college classes. Because of this he is never home and always doing something adventurous.

This summer Fred is at OCS (Officer Candidate School) in Quantico, VA. I am secretly really jealous of him because he gets to travel all over the US. Today we finally got letters from him and he's doing really good! Yay Fred! Please continue to pray for him and write letters to him! 

Ps. Isn't his girlfriend super pretty?? She's pretty much a part of our family...I do love me some Brookie!!

A Canadian & An American

June 2 marks the day that my parents have been married for 28 years. Their anniversary, to be honest, hasn't ever really been a big deal to me (other than the fact--being the oldest--it's my responsibility to track down everyone to get money to buy their gift). This year it has been different; I can't stop thinking wow, that's a long time. 


I have learned so much from my mom and dad and their relationship. They are so in love. Every day. I know they have their rough days, but they've really showed me (& my siblings) what it means to truly be in love and how to work at keeping a relationship alive & healthy--even after 28 years!! 


In the summer it's like clockwork: they take a walk around "the grounds" every night and sit by the pond for a little bit and then eventually they head up to the back deck with a bottle of wine (it's been the same brand since I can remember) for "tiki time" which consists of game of bananagrams, scrabble, or just the iPad and newspaper--I imagine when they're not playing their word games they're discussing their next plan of action--4 kids with 4 different schedules all over the states takes some major communication on their part and they play an amazing zone defense. They rarely miss anything. 


My parents are also really into pinterest. We laugh because since pinterest has come into the Holwerda home my dad and mom are constantly working on projects together off one of mom's boards. I've even seen dad scrolling through the website coming up with his own inspirations. 


Anyways, I could go on and on about these people lovely people in my life. I've learned so much from them and their marriage and if mine turns out half as good as theirs has I will be one happy lady! 


Here's to you, Mom and Dad! Happy Anniversary!!

Long weekend in Iowa

This past weekend (starting on Thursday) my mom, dad, sister, and I made the long trek out to Sioux Center, Iowa for two beautiful weddings! On Friday night Cassie's old roommate got married. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in a room full of people I didn't know. It was a fun, down to earth, family-centered reception. The couple was adorable and so happy! This is what we wore (please excuse the cheesy hotel mirror picture).

The next wedding (on Saturday) was my beautiful cousin Whitney. Talk about family time! We rarely get to see that side so it was nice to hang out with them and celebrate. Her reception was beach themed--very pretty! Her DJ was awesome, everyone was dancing all night! And here's our semi acceptable outfit picture....don't ask....my sister is weird about art. 

Me and my hottt date for the whole weekend :) 

And now after riding for what seems like days (really only 11 or so hours) we are finally home. Hitting the pavement running tomorrow; working all week (all firsts!) and the countdown begins to when I get to see Andy for Memorial weekend! 

Andy + Annie

Through thick and thin. Good times and bad times. Through sorrow and joy. These are just some of the things that I will be promising to a wonderful man [in 404 short days]. 

I can honestly say that having a friendship and then a relationship with Andy have been the best years of my life. He brings so much joy to me and God has blessed me so much with Andy. Our relationship isn't perfect. We've definitely had our fair share good times and bad times and I'm sure there's more of both to come. 

A few of my favorite things about Andy in no particular order:

-Between my extreme dislike of touchy-feely-ness and his love of touchy-feely-ness we look like an acceptable couple out in public. 

-He always texts me good morning--even when he's up at ridiculous hours to study. 

-His determination to finish school. He went through a lot this past year right now all I can say about that is wow, that man is amazing. 
-He tries really hard to appease my OCD-ness and keeps his apartment and car pretty clean. 
-He is ALWAYS making me laugh. Andy can make approximately 50583 different noises with his mouth and it's pretty hilarious. 
-Andy is one of the most chill (& patient) person I've ever met and in that way we balance very well. 


Like I said I am a very very lucky girl. I could go on and on about my favorite things about Andy. Forever with Andy cannot come soon enough. 

Summer Bucket List

This summer I have a job, I'll be taking a couple summer classes and (the most exciting) planning a wedding. Summer is always super busy with work; it seems to fly by before I can blink.

In my attempt to enjoy this summer more thoroughly I thought I'd make a list so I can keep track of how awesome my summer is--I am a list maker! 

1. Get a job. 
2. Get a consistent workout routine going--hopefully including Dot!  
3. Read for pleasure (I have a pretty extensive book list for this summer).
4. Road trip with Andy! Helllllo Chicago & shopping.
5. Volunteer somewhere/be a part of something bigger than myself.
6. 5k walk/run for a cause...any suggestions?
7. Go to IKEA and lay on a bed.
8. Go to the farmers market downtown GR. 
9. Have a picnic.
10. Do the crafts on my pinterest-so glad to finally have time!
11. Send mail. Old school. 
12. Take more pictures. 
13. Go to a Tiger's game.

This is all I got for now...it'll probably change! Yay for summer 2012!!

Home.

I thought I'd dedicate this post to how much I love my home. I'll be moving back home in less than a week for the summer (yay!) and I'm stoked. 

front view-my mom has some wonderful gardens

back yard/wannabe pavilion ;)  

POOL. 

Little barn

Road view

of course my dot. :) 

Yep. Home is my happy place. (&the people there are pretty awesome too!!)

Ps. While I was writing this I could not get "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros out of my head. It's a good listen for today while I clean. La la la la take me home. 

What I've Learned at WMU

Finishing up my junior year I'd consider myself a "pro" at the whole living at college, I'd thought I'd share my wealth of knowledge I've gained (outside of my classes of course!). 

In no particular order:

• Groceries can last a loooong time. It just makes you, as a cook, more creative. (for example: if you have no flour use oatmeal, Mexican ramen noodles with soy sauce don't taste as bad as they sound, and anything you can find a good coupon for is worth the drive)
• Always go to class--you're paying for it!
• Textbooks are overpriced anywhere you get them. 
• Naps are rare and far between. Plan them into the day if at all possible. 
• Staying up late working on something can become very unproductive. 
• Get involved. Groups are fun, friends are fun. Every single day of my pre-college educational career my mom used to tell us "Make friends, don't fight." 
• Family is the best support system so don't forget to call home.  
•  Friends become family. 
• You can train yourself to sleep through just about anything, just try not to sleep during class.
• College would be more fun without the classes. 
• Quarters are gold.
• College flies. HONESTLY. It seems like it's going to last forever and you blink and it's already senior year.

When you're in college some of the best things in life are care packages, free food events, and cancelled classes. College is a fun time and living independently gives lots of room for stupid mistakes that are [usually] easily forgiven. 

Don't forget: Make friends, don't fight!

I couldn't do it without my beautiful roommates!