Case of the Mondays?

I've been really blessed lately to get so many amazing opportunities and be able to have so many great people in my life. I have a new job, I got to keep my old job, I have a new committee position, I'm in some really great classes, and of course I have my boyfriend, friends, and family to help me fill my empty spots. I feel so overwhelmed with excitement and luck that these opportunities and people have found me and that I'm getting all these great parts of a college experience.
But.
I feel SO OVERWHELMED. I work seven days a week most weeks and when I'm not working I'm still thinking about it and planning for it and squeezing in homework because without a degree it will all be for nothing. To be fair, I can't help but do more than I'm asked sometimes. If I have an interest, it becomes a priority, but I usually notice that it pays off.
It's a struggle sometimes because I can't even seem to relax with the things that I love, like my family or football games or a drive. They're all just starting to be things that take up precious time. People expect me to make time and be social and they get hurt when they're not a priority.
Being in a long distance relationship has as many stress factors as it does rewards. When was the last time I actually called him? What did we talk about? Did I tell him about that thing that my mom said? Did I invite him to that thing that I know we can't make anyways? Does he think I'm certifiably insane yet? I seriously never know.

I'm trying to focus on the positives and make sure to remember my goals, and I'm feeling pretty confident in myself lately simply because of the fact that I have goals.
I have trouble asking for help and I don't like when people let others control their lives. But I've been so fortunate to have met someone who helps me structure mine and helps me set and achieve my goals even when he doesn't know it.

I know it's cliche, but I really do learn new things every day. I struggle but I see the payoff.

It's going to be worth it. :)

Things my little brothers should know

Most people don't know this, but being a big sister is a full time job. It's like being a part time mom, if you ask me. I worry about my brothers constantly. I only have little brothers, and thank the Lord cause I would not have been nice to a sister. Last week I texted the older boys and said that I just wanted them to know that I love them and I'm proud of them.
In predictable Luke fashion, I got no reply. Background story: Luke says he hates me. He'll tell anyone without even hesitating. Sometimes I believe him. He also had just had a....run in with the law at an Iowa game and I was most disappointed that he was at a Hawkeye game. Then again he thought I went to Illinois State for like 5 months.
Zack actually texted me back, as he usually does. His reply? "For what?" and I had to laugh, because sometimes I ask that too. Kid gets it.
Dan is nine and my bestie for life so I just sent him a telepathic message. Never heard back.

In reality though, they're my favorite things about me and everyone knows it. So my blog is a list of things little brothers should know. Or really, things that all younger siblings should know.

1. You came into our lives without our consent and we're still bitter about it. But we're also glad that Mom and Dad knew better than we did.

2. At one point, we tried to trade you for someone else's cooler, cuter sibling. We cut it off before the deal was final, though, so you're welcome. 

3. We are siblings whether you like it or not. You can block me on Facebook and pretend you don't know me in public, but we have the same last name. People figure it out.

4. I don't care what anyone says, we share a gene pool and you are damn good looking. Haters gonna hate.

5. We will always take your side. Even if we know you're wrong. Unless you're fighting each other, then I take the little one's side cause we're small and it's not fair. 

6. We are older and smarter and that means that we are always right. Even when we're wrong. We won't back down, so drop it.

7. You are our first and our last best friends. Even if we never wanted to see/hear/smell you sometimes. (In the case of my brothers, you were there for me more than you knew. Z&L-through our parents' divorce, you were the only ones who were my equals. When I was young and scared or lonely, you squeezed me in your bed and then would never admit who peed on me. When everyone else was too busy, you weren't. D- you taught me to laugh and to play and how to be who I wanted to be. I don't think you three will ever understand how much I remember or how much it means to me now.)

8. We still remember every time we seriously injured you, and sometimes we're sorry. Other times we use the memories as fighting fuel in wrestling matches.

9. No one can make us mad like you can. But no one can make us as proud as you can. We know who you are deep down. We've seen you at your weakest. Hell, we've made you cry. We also saw you come back from it and we watched you grow up and learn and become real people. 

10. We love you. Even if you call us names, we love you. Even if you cheer for the wrong team, we love you. Even if you try to wrestle us, we love you. Even if you make bad choices, we love you. Even if we hate you, we love you. ESPECIALLY when you think we don't, we love you.

This just turned into Blogday Tuesday, but it's worth it. 

Heroes come in all forms.