2011

2011 was a great year. Here are some of the highlights, in no particular order:

• Last semester of senior year.
• Sadies with Chris
• GRADUATION
• Emmalyn and Brielle were born
• Kristen found out she was PREGNANT!!
• Matt became a police officer
• Colbie Caillat concert
• Kristen's baby shower
• Kishawn's baptism
• Family pictures, that are now out of date.
• South Dakota trip, California for Spring Break, a few trips to Eager
• Said goodbye to some GREAT young men as they left for 2 years
• Lost Uncle Jerry
• Youth Conference
• Last year at girls camp
• Last volleyball games with the young women
• Many weddings.
• Dance parties
• College!
• Wonderful holidays and family time!
• Thanksgiving shoot out

I am sure I left out many things. Now for a picture overload. Happy 2012!

long birthday post...

Okay, okay. First I am bad at blogging, then I am bad at putting up birthdays!! There were 3 birthdays last week.

{First was Brad.}

Brad is just a great example to me. He is such a great father to his children and loves them no matter what. He loves his wife and would do anything for her. I hate that he lives so far away and I only get to see him every so often, but thank goodness for skype and telephone so we can stay in contact!! I miss my brother and can't wait to see him this summer!! I love you Brad! :)

{Next was my favorite brother-in-law, Dallin's birthday.}

Dallin is so fun. He fits right in with all the boys. He is just as goofy and teases me just as much as they do. It's great. He treats Kristen like a queen and she deserves it! ;) He is going to be a great dad too! Thanks for being the best brother-in-law ever! You da Best! Love you!

{Last but definitely not last, my bestest friend, Sarah.}

OH,where do I even start with my Sar?!? Me and her are seriously inseparable. We go on vacations together. Do everything together. My family automatically includes Sarah whenever we do something together. I mean, on her birthday we were together basically all day!! We went and saw Winnie the Pooh in the morning, and yes we did get the little kid's snack tray things. We don't like to act our age.. We went to lunch and got her free krispy creme doughnuts. We took a little break to relax before we went and partied. We went to Tempe Marketplace, shopped, ate at chipotle, and then headed off the Jester'z where we laughed until we cried. Then she even slept over!! Best day ever. I love Sar and am glad we are as close as we are. She is basically my sister.

...and then my dreams came true.

So, let me tell you something about me. I LOVE babies and little children. All my life I have been enthralled by them. My mom calls me " the little mother" or some others call me "the baby whisperer". Get the picture?? Anyway. My whole life I have wanted a calling in the nursery. It was my dream to get to play with little kids for 2 hours every Sunday. Well on Sunday a member of the bishopric called me and wanted to come over. He came over and asked if I would be willing to accept a calling in the nursery. Of course I was excited!! I was nervous sitting through the first part of Sacrament meeting. I don't feel old enough to be out of Young Woman's and have a calling. So it was a little weird when they called my name. Now I get to live my dream every week and play with little children!!

Love, {melissa}

babies {love}

I don't even think anyone reads this, but I write it for myself. Anyway, I AM AN AUNTIE again!! Brad and Heather had their baby girl Brielle Raeleen Porter on June 23, 2011. They decided to have the baby at home with a midwife. Right before Heather had her, we were able to get on skype. We were able to witness her birth even miles away!! I love skype and am so grateful we were able to take part in that even being miles away!! Baby Brielle was awake and alert from the minute she was born! She is so precious and I can't wait to meet her soon!! I love Brad and Heather so much! Congratulations to them! Now enjoy this precious picture.

{families are forever}

"Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Father's plan.

I always want to be with my own family and the Lord has shown me how I can."- Hymn #300

I am grateful for this knowledge.

Let me just tell you a little background of my Uncle Jerry. He has been in the family forever! Since my grandfather passed before I was even born, Jerry has always felt like a grandfather to me. Every Sunday at grandmas, he would always make sure to talk to me

and ask me how I was doing. I always admired him for being so personable. He was also a great missionary.

In April,Jerry was diagnosed with cancer. He was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was scheduled for surgery to remove it all. The doctors discovered it had spread everywhere: stomach, liver, and everywhere else. Hearing this news was shocking to all of us. He has always been a healthy guy and suddenly BAM! Since his diagnoses, he talked to each one of us. He had us come to his house and give us his last words of wisdom. On June 12, 2011 we received the news that he had passed. This hit me really hard. He was really gone.

His funeral was this past weekend, and it was hard. Yes, we know it was the Lord's plan for him to be called back and start his mission in Heaven, but it is still hard to think he is not here with us. Knowing he didn't have very long, he was able to plan his funeral. He was able to record himself talking and it was played at his funeral. He was a missionary until the moment he passed.

He was always and continues to be an example to me. I am grateful for him and all he has taught me. He has been one of the biggest influences in my life. I love him so much and will miss him greatly. He will be forever in my heart.

start of something new.

So, I graduated from high school. Can you believe it?? Neither can I. It still doesn't seem real, although I do have my diploma to prove it, I don't feel old enough to be graduated. Graduation night was great. After ALL 788 names were read, we were finished. The class of 2011 has successfully finished. The senior graduation party was at Brunswick bowling alley. It was super fun. They gave away lots of great prizes, but too bad I didn't win the ipad2, an itouch, a nixon watch, a beach cruiser, or an xbox. But that's just my luck. I never win anything when it comes to drawings. But either way, we all still had a blast!! Here are some pictures from last night. Enjoy!!

{peace&blessings}

melissa, no longer in high school.

.....

So I will give an update after this craziness is over. But for right now, all I can say is I GRADUATE TONIGHT!!! I know, I know. Sorry if I make some of you feel old, but I don't feel old enough to be graduating from high school. It's really over. But there are many good things ahead of me, I can just feel it!! I will write more later.

{peace&blessings}

melissa

P.S: This was from the first half of my graduating, seminary graduation!!