Jesse Lee Grysen

From the moment I was born the Lord blessed me. He blessed me with health, with (what my mom says) a good belly button, Christian parents and sister who little did i know would impact my life for many years to come. He has given me the best little brother i could ask for. One who is protective and loving, but yet competitive and isn't afraid to praise God's name. God has given me many opportunities, many friends, many more laughs than tears, many hardships which turned into strength, and many talents i didn't even know. All of these blessings might not have been apparent the first time i experienced them but there is one blessing in my life that within a week i knew could only have been God sent.

Jesse Lee Grysen

Little do most of you know he's quite the serenader :) it may only have been "It Girl" by Jason Derulo but it was quite something. After reading 50 laffy taffy jokes to him and snarfing down all the watermelon ones i knew that I had to find some excuse to hang out with his group of friends again in order to see him. So what do i do? Offer to sew his hat. Yep, only I would offer to sew a hat instead of asking to hang out again. I'm quite the catch i know. Well i finished the hat and whattya know i get to see him again :) this time his friend Josh tells me Jesse has feelings for me too! WHOA! excitement just flooded my whole body! A few days later i was over at his house shooting my first shot at a clay pigeon.Yeah i hit it. First and last try. Hey, when your ahead quit and stay ahead! We've been on the most classy dates. Mr. Burger, Culvers and Checkers! Just the way i like it :) Chicken strips and burgers what else could be better? Of course like the true gentleman he is he's taken me to Olive Garden and THE cutest and most elegant little restaurant in Gun Lake, no not the casino, for Valentines day! I've been spoiled with back and foot massages, tons of tickling (which never seems fair because i get one tickle in on him and it's game over. I've found the quickest way to escape is to try to run, but even then that usually results in being picked up and tossed on the couch) arm tickles and lots of laughs. He remembers things i like when even i forget! Let me also say he's quite the looker :) Im pretty sure all of you can agree i mean just look at him! Most handsome man in the world right?! Yep! and he's mine :) like i said God has blessed me unbelievably! When the words "I Love You" finally came out it was like a giant boulder just got lifted. Now i knew he felt the same way i do! I think i hugged him and didn't let go for at least 10 minutes. It's moments like that you have to hold on to because they are once in a life time. With each day we only grew closer, which also meant our relationship with the others family grew closer. I will say that Jesse's family now to me feels like my very own! His mom is an amazing cook (no matter what Cole says) who is always determined to make food from scratch in the healthiest way possible. She's become my second mom, just like their house now is my second home. If i'm not at my house i'm usually there and they have all taken me in with open arms. My family also thinks Jesse is the best thing thats happened to me. My dad has a buddy he can talk to about well whatever they talk about! And a quick trip to Arizona ensured my grandparents that he's great to!  Not only does my family think he's the greatest but MY two favorite girls, Carley and Ellie also have found great interest in Jesse. In fact, i think i have been replaced by Jesse in Ellie's mind as the favorite babysitter! And the weird thing is i don't even mind :) By seeing Jesse all the time i've also been around his sister Kara and her husband Brett and their little boy Caden. O boy. He is quite the hoot! I've never known someone to love tractors as much as he does. He may be only 2 but he knows so much already! whenever he's around there will never be a dull moment! From yelling "GOOD DAY" all over the house to turning on the radio in Jesse's room and dancing his legs off he's a ball of fun!

All of that is only a short summary of what the past 6 months have been in my life. There is no way i could be unhappy even if i wanted to! As Carrie Underwood says "He is good, so good and he treats your little girl like a real man should, he makes promises he keeps, no he's never going to leave so don't you worry about me." I can honestly tell all the women and girls out there fairy tales do exist, Prince charming's are still out there, how do i know? Because i've been living one the past half a year. If this is only 6 months i can't even imagine how amazing my life will be in a year! Oh the Lord is so good! Every morning i am now thankful to God that i am awake, im alive, i'm healthy, and i'm in love with someone whose completely in love with me. I know i'm only 19 and i am sure i still have decisions i make that i should have done different but i am positive Jesse is the one for me for forever. There's a feeling you get when your with someone you know your going to have a future with. It's much different than any other kind of "Like" or "Love" you've had with anyone else. It's stronger, it's a feeling of always wanting to be with them, always wanting to ensure their safety, always wanting to be their number one, never thinking about a break up because that possibility could never happen! It's being completely content with watching tv on the couch snuggling rather than being dressed up out to dinner. It's wanting to do small things to make them smile and ensure them that every minute your away your still thinking of them. It's Love. True Love and my heart is so happy knowing i've finally found it and that it is safe in the hands of someone who wouldn't even think to ever hurt it.

so yes, i dont care if the whole world reads this, in fact i want the whole world to read this and all my feelings because i think the world deserves to know that there's a God who is full of blessings and love and who wants the best for you and there is someone out there He designed for each person to benefit and better them.

There it all is.

Happy six months Jesse Lee i love you beyond what you'll ever know :)

<3 

Missing.

Holy Smokes it's been a coons age since i posted last! ops. Welp recently I have picked up running again. No not for a new years resolution, just because I miss it. Yes, it sounds like i'm dying when i run currently but i know it'll get better :) I have the worlds funniest, spastic, high maintenance, forgetful, beautiful, silly, loving family and i'm so beyond thankful! I have finally found a boyfriend who i am so happy with. He brings me the greatest joy and has captured my heart.

 If I've lost some of you single people right now saying "ya ya ya whatever". Im sorry I have been in your shoes but this is the first time life just feels right. Life is beautiful. <3 However having someone so wonderful i want to see all the time i have to remind myself to save time for friends. I have been slacking on making a bigger effort to see people who i use to be with every weekend. Friends who mean the world and beyond to me. Friends who i haven't told that "i love you" in a while. Friends who deserve my attention and time. So for all those reading this who are near and dear to me but i haven't made an effort lately i'm sorry and im turning around now! I MISS YOU! so call me, text me, stop by my house! i want to see you! 


  Katie Jo Bleyenburg. We both have boyfriends now and we both work and you have school. But some days i sit and ponder on all the giggles and sleep overs and silly sayings we've shared and i miss it! you've always been and always will be my best friend. We can laugh hysterically without even doing anything but watching tv and talking on the couch.  i miss you.

  Allyson Victory. You had Nick as a boyfriend this time last year and now the roles are switched. We've shared some amazing faith changing moments on mission trips and you know some of my hearts deepest secrets. I miss you.

  Riley Gortsema. Last year we got so close and you dated my best friend! i know that didn't work out but your beautiful inside and out. Your personality is so fun and brings me so much happiness and joy. i miss waking up at your house to pancakes in bed and heart to heart talks about everything under the sun. I miss you. 

  Alison Nagelkirk. Yes, we play volleyball every Thursday night, but it's not the same as spending lunch together at school everyday! i miss your no care personality and your risky choices that leave me on the edge of my seat. I miss our colored contacts and being the two seniors last year that weren't in a specific clique or group. we were just us. i miss you.

  Ethan Kendall Flikkema. Our families have been close for the longest time. I miss just doing nothing and having the most fun. i miss cam, jer, you and i being the 4 amigos and not having a care in the world. I miss the friend that told me not to care what anyone said or thought when i switched schools and church's. I miss a friend who i know will have my back till the day that i die. I miss you.

  My list could go on and on and on but these 5 people I haven't seen in months and they deserve more out of me. i care about you and i love you all. So to these people please hold me to this. 

Lately

Lately my life has been amazing.
Lately I've been forgetting to thank God for all He does for me.
Lately I've realized the intense love i have for my family and that they have for me.
Lately I've discovered i have a job that can't be beat
Lately I've been reminiscing on old memories and giggles.
Lately I've been missing long lost best friends
Lately I've been remembering how short life is and how quickly it can end.
Lately I stop an acknowledge the little things in life that always seem to be the best.
Lately I've been thinking how lucky i am to have found someone who makes me happy beyond belief.
Lately I've decided that diy crafts are the best things of my life.
Lately I've been running and loving every second of it.
Lately I've been missing my high school art classes.
Lately I've been struggling with school decisions and majors.
Lately I've come to the conclusion that snuggling and forehead kisses give me the greatest joy.
Lately I've seen that life is hard and full of emotional battles.
Lately I love hot chocolate and warm blankets.
Lately I've been reuniting with friends and it makes me extremely happy.
Lately I've been reminded how the best things in life come when you least expect it.
Always God has never stopped loving me and holding my hand and reading my thoughts through every thing listed, and for that i'm beyond grateful, thankful, and overwhelmed by His goodness, love and mercy that never fails. <3

Christian John DeVries

 Christian John DeVries also known as CJ is the youngest sibling in the DeVries family. He is my younger brother by 6 years. Yes, he's just a lil baby :) i've watched this young munchkin grow up and i only get more proud each and every year. I will not lie Christian was THE cutest baby and toddler. Last year for my graduation open house i wanted to put his baby pictures up for my poster board. From his contagious grin to his struggle to talk for a few years he was always as cute as a button. He grew up with two older sisters and therefore knows every Hilary Duff, JoJo, and Aaron Carter songs. No worries though he has had his fill of beat ups and teasing just as if he had an older brother. May i ask why boys get the God given talent of making awesome sound effects?   Christian insists to this day that my machine gun sounds like a telephone ringing.. i beg to differ. We've played Lego and hot wheels together, and watched hours and hours of Thomas the Tank engine. Cj has the biggest and best imagination of anyone i know. He has come up with a bazillion contraptions and little trinkets that amaze me! Who thinks to stretch 100 rubber bands across the room so that when you pull one it goes all the way around the room to open the door? young Einstein? yes. I've gone through heart ache and excitement with my awesome brother. The more he grows up the more he teaches me. Last year he got in a fight at school, as soon as i heard i got the sister instinct to go pound some heads together for even trying to hurt him. And i know that when the neighbor kids talk about me in a bad way he gets angry and sticks up for me. When i cry hes always there with a big hug and caring heart. Yes he gets annoying at times but honestly i've had my fair share of annoying moments too. When i run errands he loves to come with and give a second opinion. Most of all i see a young strong christian man coming into view each and every day. He has faith like a rock! Someone says "Oh MY GOD!" he doesn't hesitate to speak up and say that it offends him and his faith. He shares my love for singing which could turn bad for anyone around us at times, but it never stops us :) So Christian John, heres to changing your diapers, carrying you when you couldn't walk, teasing you when you needed it, giving you pick up hugs, scratching your back to sleep, helping you with your homework, and watching you become the greatest 12-year old brother any sister could as for. I am and always will be proud of you <3 

Our brothers and sisters are there with us from the dawn of our personal stories to the inevitable dusk.

 Our siblings push buttons that cast us in roles we felt sure we had let go of long ago the baby, the peacekeeper, the caretaker, the avoider.... It doesn't seem to matter how much time has elapsed or how far we've traveled

 A brother is a friend given by Nature.

Brother and sister together as friends

ready to face whatever life sends

There is no love like the love for a brother. There is no love like the love from a brother

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.

Sassy and Sweet

Please meet Carley and Ellie Wiersum. 

Where on earth do i begin with these two shining beauties.

The first time i heard about them my sister went to babysit for them and i got a text saying "Casey, these girls are adorable and im sitting here with 50 bows in my hair and they are loving it! you have to see them." The next opportunity they needed a babysitter i jumped at. From that first night i fell in love. I have always had and always will have a special place in my heart for children, but these two girls will always have a special spot in my heart. From make up, to hair, to painting nails, to making bracelets, to playing the wii, to snuggling up during movies, to piggy back rides, and writing Jesse birthday cards they never cease to make me smile. 

Carley 

Carley is the oldest. She is seven years old. Just look at her! she's beautiful now can you imagine what she will look like when she's 18?! This girl loves to be in control she is very detailed and specific when it comes to drawing or painting nails. She is always on a mission to make my hair, make up, and nails look the best they can be.

 Take these pictures for example! who knew that lip gloss makes a fabulous eye shadow?! as long as you dont mind a little stickiness your good to go! Carley is extremely shy to any stranger. She's known my dad for as long as she's known me and it still takes a good 20 minutes for her to warm up, but when she does she's a blast.

i cant tell you how much she loves electronics! She finds texting to be one the best things in the world. No matter who i am talking to on my phone she always wants to tell them hi. And not have me type it for her she wants to do it herself and i must say she does a very fine job! The camera is always a hot spot at the Weirsm residence. Sometimes i think she's better at taking pictures than me! however her younger sister Ellie doesn't have as much patience and she took the above picture which is blurry but still captures how much fun we have being silly. :) 

Ellie

Ellie is the younger of the two. She is five years old and a bundle of giggles. Some of the things she says makes me laugh for hours. just last saturday she told me "I crack myself up all the time! and i crack my mom up she says im hilarious" funny thing is Kiley tells me all the time that i crack myself up. we're like two peas in a pod. Ellie is more outgoing and silly. She has a giggle that could make anyone smile. She is SO completely photogenic! 

While Carley spends time at the neighbor Ella and Sophie's house, Ellie and i have spent a lot of time together. She is a complete joy! i don't know how anyone could go bored while being with her. She's a little chatter box but never to the point of annoying. She loves telling me all about her day and her friends. She loves to do my nails and hair just as much as Carley. Even though it might not be as detailed or fancy its still absolutely perfect in my eyes

This summer i had the pleasure of teaching Ellie in my vacation bible school class at church. I tried really hard not to show her favor above the others, but it was so terribly hard. It was hard for her to understand too that i had to share piggy backs and  attention with the other kids when normally it's just her and her sister that get all my attention. 

I love to take the girls to movies or anything fun. Anytime their parents Brian and Amy ask me to babysit i think i get more excited than a kid at christmas time. I honestly love these girls with all my heart! i show them off to people i know and people at my work like they are my own children. Their picture resides in my car on my dash for me to see their smiling faces every time i put my car in drive. I look forward to Ellie's running jump hugs and Carley's new ideas everytime i see them. I hope from this post you can all see how much God has blessed me beyond belief with these two small girls and possibly fallen in love with them as fast as i have. 

Thank you Brian and Amy for you two amazingly beautiful girls inside and out <3 

Crafty

In an earlier blog i showed you a sneak peak of a lace lamp i was attempting to make but failed. Well heres a more descriptive process by pictures of how it's done!  

 

Vwala! all done! love it <3

My next project! necktie necklaces. This is the one i made for allyson for her birthday. They are so fun and i love making them! 

I LOVE MY JOB :) 

Adventure Time

Highlights from last weekend <3