The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II

Hey Loves

So I thought I'd let you all know: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II is coming out this summer, August 8th to be exact. Since we are basically them, we are all going together! : D Just thought I'd let you know!! Love you girls. Christmas break will be great! Clear Lake here we come!!!

-M

good seeing you ladies this weekend!!!!! can't wait for christmas break!! love you all, have a good next 3 weeks, and hopefully they aren't too stressful.

i will be in ames from friday until at least saturday night so i can drive back sunday.

giving thanks and eating turkey

i'll be in chicago until saturday late afternoon! :( BUT I'm going back to school monday morning. EVERYONE PLEASE STAY UNTIL SATURDAY NIGHT AT LEAST!

Thanksgiving!!!

So the assignment is as follows:

Report back with the dates that you will be in Ames for Thanksgiving break!!! Deal??

I'll be in Ames from Tuesday night until Friday morning.

We HAVE to get together. I miss you girls so much!

Love you!!

Miss You Girls!!!!

Physics = Stupid!!

Ugh!!!! I hate midterm week!!! I have a HUGE HUGE HUGE physics exam tomorrow and I'm FREAKING OUT!!!! I think we all need to take a trip to the lake for some peace and quite...and super fast jet skis and monkeybread. Love you all!! Hope this week is going well!

: (

Oh Sarah,
I'm so sorry hun. We're all here for you if you need to call us. I'll be checking in on you soon. Hang in there babe. I'll be praying for you and your family. I love you so so much!

Grandpa

My grandpa died this morning at 6:30 am.

Last night my mom called me and told me Grandpa was quickly slipping away. I texted my dad and arranged for him to come pick me up at 11 am today. At 11 pm last night I heard a knock on my door- it was my dad! He thought that I wanted to go see Grandpa at night. So I went anyway, and got to the hospital in Marshalltown a little after midnight. My grandpa, who had Alzheimer's, died from pneumonia. When I got there he had an oxygen mask on, and was only able to squint open his eyes. He couldn't talk, and could barely breathe. I got up right into his face and was telling him who I was. I held his hand, although I don't think he liked that because he never was a touchy-feely guy.

Side story: in fourth grade I played the violin. Grandpa loved the violin, and asked me to play him the Star Spangled Banner. I soon quit, and never was able to learn that song. I've always felt terrible about it, so last night I hummed him the Star Spangled Banner with my mom and aunt. It was really powerful, and I was crying so much.

Before I left, I had a little time with him alone. I got up close to his face again so he could see me through the squinting and told him I loved him. I told him that he gave me his blue eyes and stubbornness. And that was the last time I'll ever see him.

My mom told me he died this morning. The nurses were shocked because his heart was still beating so strong. It was just his time to go. It sounds morbid to some people, but I'm really shocked he didn't die before now with all that he has gone through.

I really looked up to my grandpa, and I'll miss him.

looove

my dear friends!

It was so good to be together again at last. It has been said so many times, but isn't it crazy that us four get along so well? I love you all so much (yes, even when you all tease me about being "hit" on at a funeral, and when you, Rachel Wilson, tell strangers about my comment I made in the tent in Mexico about dancing... you stink, Rachel.) Please please please don't ever forget I love ya all!

It has been an interesting week back already, and is going to get even more "interesting" starting tomorrow. I was supposed to make up some of my exams I missed last week, but I just found out my grandpa is dying, and isn't expected to live long. I'd shoot myself if I didn't see him before he died, so I guess I'll just have to reschedule the test again, if they let me.

Keep posting here about how you guys are doing and what is going on in your lives! Or, call me sometime! See ya all soon?

hello hello girls

well i am back in BG and it's good, but i really really miss you girls and hanging out with you. it was good to be back in ames and get some closure on things. i am so glad i came home for the funeral and just to be with close friends during this hard time for all of us. i really do thank God for suck good friends/sisters i don't know what i would do without you girls, this week just made me realize how much i really do appreciate and love you girls. we have so many good memories and that's one thing i realized during the week.





Me Encanta Ellas Mucho!!!!!!!

Nate

I just saw Nate a week ago. He came to the Florida vs. Drake game on September 16 (that is where the picture was taken.)

I don't really know what to say. I held his hand Saturday. I talked to him, and he just lay there. I wanted to say "wake up, Nate. Everyone is here, everyone is waiting for you." And now he is gone.

I've had a particularly rough weekend. Friday night I found out that a girl that Deb and I had played soccer against in high school had died in a car crash on Thursday afternoon- Meggie Malm. Then Rachel called about Nate. Then yesterday morning my room mate found out that her sister's newly ex-boyfriend had died in a car accident.

Things change so fast. It is hard for me to believe that Nate just won't be around.

Friday night, after I had heard about Meggie, I started looking up verses in the Bible about death. One really stood out to me- Isaiah 57: 1-2:
"The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart;
devout men are taken away, and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
Those who walk uprightly enter into peace;
they find rest as they lie in death."

Me Again,

I've talked to Brent and it looks like we're planning to meet at Blinks on Thurs. 4:30-5:00 for dinner (your mom's are wonderful) just to talk and hang out. Brent will do a little debriefing and answer questions etc for whoever likes. Kids and come and go whenever they need to. It's early enough that kids can get back to school for Friday if they need. Wed we will also have Blinks open with pop if anyone wants to hang. We just want to be available. Does that sound OK.

In the meantime, why don't you post some Nate stories or things you remember about him in high school. I feel a little out of it -- I'd like to hear about what you remember. Love you. Me

Together Again

Hey girls,
Diane, thanks so much for writing that. I think it will help us all with dealing with everything. I just got off the phone with Deb and we talked about how it hasn't really hit us yet. We both have gone into planning mode and just busied ourselves with plans and legistics of getting home and working around school that we haven't really gotten it. I'm glad that you girls will be there Wednesday so that when I finally do "get it" you will be the ones with me. There's about 12 kids up here at UNI that I'm trying to find rides to Ames for. There's a ton of fresman from Hidden Acres and so right now I'm busying myself with that. I've been busy this weekend with Birthday events, I'll fill you in on everything when we are together, but in between have been having bursts of crying and then being OK. I've been talking to Mark H a lot and hopefully something good can come out of this for him. I think God wants me to use this opportunity to get him back. Pray for that. Anyways, I hate that this is happening but I'm thankful that we finally get to be together again. Love you all so much. See you in a couple days


Here is a fun pic of Nate. It was one of his favorites. He was such a silly and fun-loving guy. I'll miss him so much.

Hi!

I just wanted to check in with you guys and make sure you're all alright. We were in KC this week end for Danny Rickets week-end, but heard about Nate early Sat morning. I did go over to his grandparents last night and spent a couple of hours with them, especially Julie, as she was in my small group in high school so we were especially close. I know this is hard on all of you as you were all friends of Nates and you loved him. I also know you have a ton of why questions, are possibly angry and him and God! and just in general don't understand. Why didn't God intervene? Why didn't his roommates do something? Why did he chose to go off his medicine? Why did he write what he did on the web? Why did this have to happen? Where was God? Doesn't God protect his children? Couldn't God have done something? Was Nate unhappy? Could I have done something? Why does he allow all this suffering? Why does he take the good guys? He could have stopped this if he had wanted to? How am I suppose to react? What do I do with all these emotions? I'm so sad that it's hard to think about anything else. A lot of my friends didn't know Nate and they don't understand what I'm going through so I feel so alone right now.

I just want to assure you that what you are feeling is absolutely valid and normal. You cared about him. Your pain in real because you cared. None of us understand and not one of use know what was going on in Nates mind or heart. We never will. Unfortunately, we can't go back and ask him. Believe me, if you never care about someone, you will never hurt, but that is not what life is all about. Pain is part of life and death is part of that life.

When I was talking to Julie and his grandparents last night, they were sharing with me how they to had missed all of Nate's warning signals. Evidently, Thurs night he was with his grandparents for a family birthday party. Even then, he was showing signs of stress but they thought it was because of a big test he had on Friday. He was happy that night, but worried about passing this test. They missed all the signs that they had been trained to see. Obviously, his poor roommates had not been at all trained and had no idea what the signs were, one of which, is not being cognitive in right thinking. I guess he sounded normal, but wasn't really. It happens gradually, and then very quickly at the end when even Nate himself, would not have been able to stop it.

As to why, we will never know. That's simply when we absolutely must trust God. In talking to Julie about this very thing, she simply responded, "Diane, I don't have the time or the energy to ask why. I just trust Him." I can't say it any better than that. Sure Julie will have some awful moments ahead and she will miss her brother terribly. Yes, she's grieving - but she has walked with God and she knows who He is. He loves them and Nate loved Jesus. he is with Him now and that's all we need to know. We will never have any answers to our questions because there are none. God has to be enough. Who He is has to be enough. Yes, our life and actions have consequences. Yes, He could have intervened. He has the power. He didn't. We will never know why He didn't, but that is His choice. Was this grief what He wants for the family and for us- no - He is crying with us. Jesus weeps with those who weep. But we live in a fallen world and this is part of that world. I hate it - I hate that this happens to people I care about. I hate that you guys are hurting. But I know God, because I have walked with Him and I have known his comfort and let him dry my tears when I knew I couldn't stand it any longer.

So crawl into His lap guys. Enough of my preaching. You are all loved by me and even more by our heavenly Father. Call me if you need to talk. I'm thinking of maybe us getting together after the funeral on Thurs night and just being together. Would that work? God cares so much that you are hurting - let Him comfort you, but if I can help, let me. Diane

I hate Panthers & love puppies!

so i just thought i would take this opportunity to let everyone know who didn't hear.........

MEGG is a jerkface!!!! She didn't even see me when she was in ames for a whole weekend! ha ha just kidding megg it's cool i still love you. And by the way it's really not that much of an accoplishment to say UNI beat ISU because well frankly, we just suck but it's ok because we beat IOWA!!!! haha that's all that really matters.

So on a different subject the coolest thing ever happened on wednesday!!!! Ross and i got a 7 1/2 week old jack russell terrier puppy and it's the cutest sweetest puppy ever!! Before you guys freak out we didn't plan on getting a dog. One of the guys on the basketball team lives on a farm and they had a litter of 10 puppies and just asked us if we wanted one so ya it was a very spur of the moment thing. We haven't named her yet but i like the name Layla? Got any suggestions?

This weekend i went on the ministry team retreat and i have to be real and say that it was a pathetic showing for our youth group. We only had 6 people that went! We still had fun and everything but it worries me a lot to think that's all we can get to go to that retreat when we were there we had a ton!

Anyways i gotta do homework but just thought i'd fill you guys in on stuff. I'll try to post pictures of the puppy soon! Love you all!!

HEYYYYYYYY GO CATS!

So I thought I would take this opportunity just to let everyone know who didn't hear...

UNI BEAT ISU!!! Whooo hoo ho ho!!

It was a fun game and I had a blast! We got to Ames at around 1 and tailgated until the game. I met Alex's family at the Miller family tailgate. And when I say family I mean like cousins and family friends and other random somehow distantly related relatives. It was kind of scary but ended up being pretty good. I think they all like me : D Anyways, hope you girls' 4th week of school goes well! We are already almost a quarter done with this semester! What??? : D Love you girls.

Just a boring entry!

So I'm sitting here, trying to read an article for class tomorrow on international economics, and absolutely nothing is processing.

I guess just to say it again, Megg thanks for setting this up! Are you coming down to the UNI/Drake game? And, Rachel, I'm sad I didn't get to see you either! Come down and visit me in Des Moines sometime :) Debora, I'm so glad I got to see you. Geez it has been forever. Maybe I'll make a trip out to Ohio one of these days?

As for me, it has been a hard first two weeks of school. I'm living in a house with three other girls, and that has been a huge adjustment. I'm learning that I'm more like my mom when it comes to cleaning than I thought I was, and that isn't necessarily a good thing...

This soccer season is going to be pretty tough for a couple of different reasons... it already has been EXTREMELY humbling because I'm not even a bench warmer- I videotape the games way up in the nosebleed section ha.

oooook back to work! More later, hopefully when I have something more exciting to say :)

LOOKIN' GOOD!!!

Hey Ladies!
Looks like we all got it figured out! I'm excited about this thing. I think it's going to be amazing for all of us! Good luck getting settled back into school everyone! I'm already paying for all the homework I didn't do this weekend. Opps : D

Deb, I'm glad you got home safe! I honestly can't say I was witness to anything that would make Luke be mad at you. You guys seemed to be fine both times I was there. I don't know what to tell you except that I think Luke is a really good guy. I know you guys have had a rough couple of months and who knows if things are better left in the past, or if they're worth patching up. I think you're the only one who can decide which is right. But keep me posted on what's going on with that. How did you guys end your last conversation? Was it a good or bad ending?

Rachel - I'm not sure if I'm going to make it down on Friday now. All three of the people I'm going to the game with have to work, so we'll see what happens. But I WILL see you Saturday for sure!

Sarah - I'm glad I got to see you this weekend even if it was only for a couple hours! Hope you can convince your doctor into letting you get out of the brace sooner!! That would be nice : D

Diane - I'm super impressed you figured this thing out. : D Nice job!

Love you girls so much! Hope your Tuesdays are going well!!

OK - I think I'm on. At least I read the blog. Just let me know I'm doing this right and I'll write more later. Hope this works! Good job Meg. Love ya, Diane

hey girls. I think this is a great idea, good job megg. I am glad we can hopefully talk more or at least find out more about each others lives.

I had a very long drive yesterday, it took forever. At the end I had a very hard time because i got a call from Mr. Peterson telling me off because I guess I was talking shit (pardon my french) about him this weekend. Apparently he thought this and was very pissed off at me even though I thought i was very good to him expect for a few comments. But Megg and Rachel you can tell me otherwise if I am wrong.

Overall I just want you girls to know that for some odd reason know to man I still love him after he treated me like shit this spring. He didn't cheat but in my eyes you don't break up with me and then make out with some girl a couple weeks later, but whatever it's over just know he didn't cheat on me we were broken up and he isn't as bad as I may say because I usually only tell the bad things not the good wonderful things he has done for me.

Well that's enough of that. Tell me what you really think, por favor.

And i do have diane's email so I will send her the info megg sent me, if someone hasn't already done so.

with much love to all you girls,
debora

Hey guys! It's Rachel! I have no idea how to use this but i'm pretty excited that despite what we all believe, Megg does know how to use a computer and even stretched her brain to figure out how to put pictures up! Love it and i love you Megg! ;-) I can't wait to get this going!

p.s. Eggert i'm sad i didn't get to see you this weekend! :-(

Megg, you're great!!! Thanks for setting this up!

Oh, and if anyone knows Diane's email address invite her to join. I don't have it anywhere.

Love you all!!!!

The Sisterhood Begins!!

Hey Dears!
So we finally have an official blog!! This is a way for all five of us to keep in touch on a regular basis. Post funny stories, changes in your lives, anything at all. It doesn't need to be ground breaking. I just want to know what you girls are up to!! I love you all so so so much. Now... GET POSTING!!!!!