La Vita E Bella

one year

it's been over a year since my last post to this blog. there is a story as to why. a very boring, and totally non-excusable reason - but I'll save that for another day. what matters is I'm back. Yes, I'm back! xo, Me

Growing

I thought I'd jump on really quickly and post a few photos. The first set were taken by my wonderful friend Eden Thome. She flew in from Reno to spend the day photographing our new family of 5. And ofcourse, I'm in love with the few images she's shown us. The other photos were taken by me in the past few days. I can't get enough of this beautiful little girl. In fact, I can hardly believe I'm the mother of 3 kids. I am so blessed, and honored that God would allow me the opportunity to love on these precious babies.

Well, I'm keeping this post short. Lots to do, but I wanted to share these images for those of my family and friends not on Facebook....you all deserve some photo love too :)

Love, Me

We have a Girl :)

Madelyn Audrey Vossler

December 1st, 2010 at 10:15am

8lbs, 12ozs and 20 3/4" long

Our surprise has arrived, and we couldn't be more happy or in love (but what new baby doesn't spur those emotions?) I didn't think I had an instinct, but when they yelled "It's a Girl!", I was stunned. I guess I really thought it was going to be a boy. In fact, our sweet Madelyn didn't have a name until she was an hour or two old. Not that we didn't have any names on our list, but I hadn't committed to anything because I was positive it was going to be a boy. She came into the world quickly. I entered Hoag hospital at midnight for my induction. By the time I filled out paperwork, got into a room, and was started on my IV and pitocen it was 3am. I hadn't even dilated to a 1 when I was admitted. Seven hours later (and about 10 minutes of pushing) she was born.  It was a textbook and enjoyable labor and delivery. She is now 4 days new and has kind of found her place in this world. She hardly ever cries, gives me a 6 hour stretch of sleep every night, and is cuter than cute. She looks so much like Olivia. She is precious and perfect and I can't imagine life without her. The kids haven't spent too much time with her - but in the little bit they have, Lucas is the most thrilled with her. Asking to hold her all the time and already very protective of her. Olivia has yet to hold her, and gets a little bit closer to her every encounter we have. But she's still very unsure of this new arrival. My wonderful in-laws have had the kids since Maddy was born, and we'll officially be a family of 5 on Monday. It will definitely be an adventure, but I have a feeling Maddy is going to make this transition an easy one on me. So far, she has been nothing short of EASY. And just for the record, deciding that the gender would be a delivery surprise was such an amazing experience. The emotion of waiting for everyone to yell the gender was overwhelming and so much fun. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world!

Well, God is good. Always. Trei and I are so excited and blessed by our growing family and can't believe how far we've come since meeting 8 years ago. We never would have expected to be in this place - but we also can't imagine life any differently. We are having so much fun. 

Look for more photos of Maddy and the kids. I plan on pulling out my camera this week and capture Maddy's in her first official photo session - PLUS, we're having our family photos taken by my wonderful friend Eden on Wednesday. I can't wait.

Oh, and thank you to everyone for your congratulations. We are blessed by a wonderful group of family and friends. We love you all!

Love, Melissa (and Trei, Lucas, Olivia and Madelyn)

*oh, and click on the photo to see it larger :)

 

Thankful

I'm finding it hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just a week away. I'm not exactly sure where 2010 went, but I do know it was a busy year and it's silly for me to think that somehow I could remember (or cherish) most of the days. Sometimes, we live life in the fast lane. It's just kind of how it works. But, now that I'm just 12 days (at the most!) away from meeting my third child - life has slowed down and I have some time for reflection. It's long overdue, and I really wish I would have allowed myself some downtime this year to do it more often...but live and learn, right?

It's 1:30am and I was suddenly hit with the urge to sit and write about some of the things I'm thankful for. In no particular order of importance or priority - just the things on my brain that I'm feeling extra grateful to God for. Ready?

1. My husband - for his hard work, love, commitment, and dedication to our family.

2. My kids - for their constant energy, passion, excitement, and continually reminding me that this is not about me.

3. A healthy and enjoyable pregnancy - being gifted the ability to nurture a growing life inside of my body. What an honor God has given me!

4. My family - for helping Trei and I as we've navigated through this year. For the free babysitting, listening ears, and wonderful advice. We are so blessed.

5. My thriving business.

6. Trei's job and our health insurance.

7. A roof over our heads, food in our tummies, security and even some extras!

8. Our health and well-being.

9. Living so close to the beach.

10. My friends - who keep me sane, help me grow, and always laughing.

11. My new van!

12. Pedicures.

13. Our wonderful church.

14. My future.

15. That I serve an amazing God who has NEVER let me down. He is good, and the sole reason I have so many reasons to be thankful.

Did I Mention?

That we are expecting our third baby?

 

Well, for those of you just now finding out, I'm already 17 weeks along :)

A little later than I've posted about past pregnancies, but what can I say? Life is crazy, and we didn't even tell our close family and friends until I was 12 weeks...so I really didn't wait THAT long.

So far, baby is totally healthy and doing really great. I feel great and am looking forward to welcoming another child into the world. I'm due December 7th, and we are waiting until I deliver to find out the sex. Can't wait!

Well, keep us in your prayers and thoughts, and I'll be sure to keep you updated on how things progress.

Love, Me

Superwoman

 

See these two little faces? These two beautiful, rambuncious, and totally wonderful little faces? Well, they exhaust me. They suck up almost every moment of my day. Between the good (snuggles, playtime, love, and good old conversation), the bad (lots of messes and the occasional sibling rivalry) and the ugly (crazy loud tantrums and fighting bedtime) - i find it to be 11:30pm and I wonder what happened to my day.

Motherhood is nothing like I had expected it to be. My mom was good at it. She managed to raise and homeschool four kids - all while appearing to have everything in order and under control. She totally inspired me to want to do what she was doing. I mean, she kind of did me a disservice. Instead of giving me a taste of reality, I was modeled motherhood by a woman who could do her job like Superwoman.

Like, I cannot manage to keep my house picked up. I mean, there are moments in my day where things look pristine and museum-esque...but it's fleeting. I could close my eyes, and spin around three times and everything is in disarray again. How is that possible? How is it possible to go and do ALL OF MY LAUNDRY, only to put it all away and notice my hamper is half full again. I always start my weeks with good intentions. But what is the saying? The road to hell is paved with good intentions? Yeah, well I'm headed straight there. I might just be in first class seating.

One of my favorite shows is Desperate Housewives. I could watch that show every day for the rest of my life. You see, if you know the characters.....I often wish I were as organized and put together as Bree, and as beautiful and stylish as Gaby. Unfortunately, the reality is, I'm as spastic and bird-brained as Susan, with the house, and nerves and patience of Lynette. And as much as I try...I've had to come to accept these part of myself that are definitely not the character I wish I had been cast as.

 

And there is a part of me that has a hard time accepting how I'm wired. I feel like my life would run so much more smoothly if I could just swap out my Susan/Lynette brain for a Bree/Gaby one. 

That is until the other day. When I looked at my kids. They were kind of the brunt of my "trying to be who I'm not". Setting expectations for myself that are unrealistic. Setting myself up for failure, and in turn, kind of failing at my job as their mom. So, I decided to try something new. 

Stop with the expectations. Come to grips with the dust bunnies in my life - and instead of battling them on a daily basis - to learn to live among them. Basically, I'm giving myself some slack. I can't be everything to everyone all the time. Especially to the inanimate object that is my house. My kids deserve for me to be more present.....and not just under the same roof present. They deserve for me to enjoy them. To be present to hear their thoughts, to encourage them, and love on them - even if it means my home won't be to Bree's standards, or my hair won't be perfectly coiffed like Gaby's. And it's interesting...because my favorite characters are both Susan and Lynette. Why you ask? Because of all the characters on the show - they have the most meaningful relationships. They, despite their quirky habits, and less than perfect facade are the two people who have lives full of purpose and meaning - and they are, at the core - truly happy.

So I'm choosing happy. Even if my laundry is a day overdue, or my family is eating mac n' cheese for dinner, or my kitchen looks like a tornado hit it. My kids aren't going to remember those things. They are going to remember me. The special moments I created with them. The values I instilled in them. The love I showed them on a daily basis. 

Come to think of it. Maybe my mom wasn't always perfect - but I truly don't remember the state of her floors, or bathroom, or kitchen. I remember my mom being perfect at her job. Mom. Which had nothing to do with cleaning and laundry and boring household things. It had everything to do with loving us, supporting us, building up our dreams, and helping us along every step of the way. Those were the things that inspired me.

I guess she really did give me a realistic view of motherhood. The reality is the importance of love, a little more love....okay a TON MORE LOVE, and priority and balance. Gives me hope that I'm on my way to being Superwoman too.

Love, Me

Change.

 

I started this blog in November of 2003.

I was 21 years old.

It has chronicled over 6 years of my life. Engagement, marriage, home ownership, pregnancy (twice), babies (twice), motherhood, the start of my photography business, multiple moves, and all my personal thoughts in between. It's served as a history book of my adult life - and there is a ton of sentimentality here.

But now, in May of 2010, my life has changed. I chase a two and three year old. I run a thriving business. I'm trying to balance life, while attending to all of my responsibilities. There are days where I struggle, and days where I succeed - but I can only anticipate that as my children grow, as my business grows.....that life will just remain to get busier.

So, where does that leave my blog? It's a question I've pondered for quite some time. Do I make my business blog a combination of both my personal thoughts and creative ventures? Do I keep them separate? Do I say goodbye to my history book or keep it going, with the knowledge that it may be stagnant for months at a time.

What do you think? Stay or Go?

Let me know.

Melissa

Two Places

When I was born in January of 1982, my parents brought me home. Their home. The first home they owned as a newly married couple. It was this darling little 1920's pad on a half-acre of land. To this day, my parents still live there. 34-ish years of a place to call home. It's undergone many facelifts, but the history. the love. the family is still ingrained in the walls. you can't erase memory. no matter how often the paint color or furniture changes. My dad used to joke that he was going to put a door to the front yard in my bedroom so me and my future husband and children could live there forever. I always kind of thought it was a good idea. I'm not going to lie. I love home. I love comfort and security and familiarity. 

So it's really amazing to me, that I've undergone 7 moves in my 5 years of marriage. Number 8 is right around the corner. How not cool, for someone like me. You see, I invest myself. Wherever I go. I invest. I make meaningful friendships. I get involved. I become settled. Because, well there is something comfortable about community and friendships and living. So when I move. I'm sad. I'm sad for there to be a change in a routine and in relationships that I've grown to love and appreciate. 

This move. From Reno to So Cal is especially bittersweet. I'm heading to a place that really epitomizes home. I grew up there. My family is there, my childhood friends are there. I've spent 26 of my 28 years of life there.....so the anticipation of reuniting is joyful. But in order to be there, I have to leave here. This past year has been awesome (and trust me when I say....most people in my shoes would NOT characterize this year as awesome!). You see, 2009 was our most trying year of marriage. Trei and I faced a lot of discouraging and emotional and scary things. I look back on my journals, and am reminded of how often I felt like we were drowning. How often, I pleaded with God for some steady ground. But God is good, and despite all of the fear and unknown, He had a plan. God redeemed all of that "loss", the material loss with fulfilling friendships. He gave us friends to carry us through the difficult times. To watch our kids so we could have date nights. To invite is over for dinner and keep us laughing until the wee hours of the morning. To share our passions with. Friends from unexpected places. From familiar places. Friends from middle school. Friends from over the internet. Friends who shared in our sorrow and our joy. Friends who love us. Love our kids. These things are not easy to find....yet, we did. And we let our roots dig deep into soil that was rich in love. And love. Love endures all things. Love is steady ground. 

And now, we have to say goodbye. Heading towards that which excites us, but leaving that which excites us. And it seems so very unfair. Selfishly, I want both worlds. I want all the people that fill my heart and soul with happiness to be within miles of me. I want lunch with my mom and sister, or family dinners and the next day, Starbucks and a playdate followed by an inspiring photo session with my awesome girlfriends.

But instead of grieving my loss, I'm trying to soak in the few days I have left. Looking forward to what's ahead, and cherishing with everything that I am, this past year. The time I've had with friends that I love dearly. Friends that have helped me to grow and succeed and be a better wife and mom. I will never forget 2009. And not because it was a year of struggle...but because it was a year of redemption. A year of purpose and laughter and truly understanding what is really important at the end of the day. 

thank you. you all know who you are.

Love, Me 

Merry Be-lated Christmas!!

If you missed our 2009 Christmas Card, then here it is! I created an accordian style card and was soooo please with it! Turned out so much better than I expected! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. We sure did!

(click the card to see it larger)

Love, The Vossler's

 

Happy 3rd Birthday to my Boy!

Lucas turned 3 on the 18th, and we've been so busy I haven't had a chance to post the 3 year slideshow I made for him. It's been a crazy, crazy couple of weeks - and I look forward to posting more often on this blog. For now? Watch, and fall in love!

Lucas Vossler - 3 years of Life! from Melissa Vossler on Vimeo.

Happy Thanksgiving!

from our home to yours :)

 

 

*Lucas decided to forgo this little session in exchange for an outing with dad :)

Love, The Vossler's

Friends and Family

Spread the word for me please :)

 

...and I promise an update of substance very soon!!!

Love, Me

Big

I think the title is more than appropriate for this post. I'm going to be touching on some big things in the next few moments.

First of all, how big are my kids getting? It's astonishing to me how quickly time has passed since they were newborns. Having full on conversations with Lucas and listening as he teaches his sister to count are all reminders that I have a kid on my hands. A real life kid. Then there is Olivia, who has changed so much in the past 6 months. Her hair is longer (and curlier), her vocabulary has grown leaps and bounds, and she is taller. Sitting next to Lucas, she doesn't look so miniature anymore. More like another kid. Not a baby. I've been to Old Navy four times this week. Four times, because I've continued to buy the kids clothes that, by my eye, look to be the correct size - but are in reality, way too small! Lucas will be 3 in just 3 months. He is currently wearing size 3T shirts and size 4T pants (rolled up just a bit). Does anyone know just how HUMONGOUS 4T pants look? They almost look like they would fit Trei....not my sweet baby boy! And Olivia, who is just 18 months old is wearing 2T pants and 3T shirts! What? I even find myself venturing to the baby section in BabyGap still, as though I'm going to actually find something to fit either one of them. How is it possible that I don't have babies anymore? Didn't I just have them? Feels like it to me.

 

You know what else is big? The awesome job my husband landed about a month ago. Out of management at McDonalds, and now an Assistant Director of Food Services at Raley's (think Von's my friends) in Tahoe. This has meant a big pay increase, a longer commute, and some great opportunities for our family. Finally. We are both so excited for the wonderful career change and are excited to see where this path leads us. For now, he has an hour commute each way. But once our short sale is accepted (crossing out fingers), we'll move to the opposite end of town, which will shorten his commute to just 20 minutes. But until that happens, he has to endure his car a little longer than he'd like :)

You know another big thing? The contest/giveaway (my husband says it's not a contest) I'm running on my photography blog! I'm giving away a session to SIX lucky winners. Just comment on my blog with the session you'd like to be entered to win OR email me. I'll randomly draw names next Thursday. It's pretty easy. All the particulars can be found on my other blog - so check it out - and tell your friends - and enter to win. It's going to be so exciting!!! Melissa Vossler Photography Blog.

I took some photos of Olivia yesterday to announce the above giveaway. It was during this little session that I realized just how bit my girl was becoming. Whew. Talk about getting all teary-eyed. She is growing so quickly. So in honor of my growing baby, some photos of her yesterday, Enjoy. I know I do :)

   

 

Love, Me

 

5 Blissful Years

Five years ago, I married my best friend. I went from being Melissa Terrano to Melissa Vossler, and took my first steps in the adventure of marriage. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. No idea what the future held, or how much more love I would experience, or the challenges we would face. At 22 years old, I became a wife.

   

 

...and in the 5 years that I've been a wife - I've learned and experienced things that have blessed my life is ways I never expected. I've learned how to appreciate my husband. I've learned to stop talking so much, and listen a lot more. I've learned how to be more selfless, less selfish. I've learned the meaning of "team". I've learned that kissing, and holding hands, and cuddling, and talking is so very good for the soul. I've learned that the man I married is even more amazing and wonderful and complex and generous and funny and wonderful and handsome than I had realized that day I said "I do". I've experienced love in capacities I never knew of. I've experienced hurt, joy and humility. I've watched my husband become a father TWICE. I've made decisions that have been hard, decisions that have been easy, decisions I look forward to making again, and decisions I hope I never have to make again. I've learned that life is unpredictable - but the love of my husband is constant. I've learned to be a better communicator, argue fairly, and in the hundreds of passionate and intense arguments we've had, never once have we slept in seperate bedrooms I've learned that learning will never cease. As our time together continues on, I'll become a better wife. I'll gain better perspective, have more patience, and fall even more madly in love with my husband than I am right at this moment (and that is much, I can hardly fathom it!). I've learned that it's absolutely necessary for God to be in the midst of our marriage. With Him we have peace and grace and mercy and freedom and so many other wonderful things. Because of Him, we are able to live a life full of love. Love is so good. It's good from our God. It's good from my husband.

It's really good.

 

 

oh, and it's only going to get better. Way better. And the anticipation of this way better love is enough to make we swell with joy and excitement.

Five. Wow.

Happy Anniversary to my best of friends. I am happy to be your wife.

Love, Me

New

I was kind of trying to hold off until September 6th to update my blog, so I could say I had gone TWO WHOLE MONTHS between updates - but then I realized I didn't care that much, and to be honest, I've been having some withdrawels lately. Blogging withdrawels.

It's really hard to imagine that summer is coming to a close. Didn't it just begin? And although the days are still very hot, the evenings melt into a chilly breeze, and I'm reminded that fall and winter are really right around the corner. I'm already starting to think about warm clothes for the kids and Christmas gifts for the holidays. But I have to think about those things now....because in true life fashion....they will be at my doorstep in no time.

Plus, the next few months are presented with so many exciting events and celebrations. The most exciting of these is that I'm going to be an Aunt, to a little girl. I know, old news - but will never lose it's lustre. February can't come soon enough. I'm excited to hold her, and kiss her, and love on her, and shower her in pink and frills, and take a million photographs of her tiny baby goodness - and watch my brother become a father and his wife a mother - and ofcourse celebrate in a new life - a new Terrano. Another impending celebration is that of my sister-in-law Karissa who was recently engaged and planning a whirlwind wedding sometime this fall/winter. And, my sweet Lucas will be turning 3 in 4 short months. And as life would have it - there will likely be more to add to my list by the close of 2009. That's kind of how things work!

But what about the happenings in the Vossler life? We are staying pretty busy ourselves. Trei recently started a new job. He was hired at Raley's (think Vons you Southern Californian's) as the Assistant Director of Food Services in Lake Tahoe! Talk about an exciting opportunity. Better job, better pay. We are so grateful. And yes, in Tahoe. Although Trei tried desperately to get me to move there, I just couldn't do it. So for now, he is commuting about 50 minutes each way from our home in Sparks. Once the offer we received has been approved, we will move to the other side of Reno, the South side - where we will be about 25 minutes away from his new job. Not too bad. So far, he is loving his new position and excited about the possibilities. It's a union job, so we get the perks of that - and are definitely not complaining. This decision is good for our family on so many levels - and I'm looking forward to watching as we begin working towards our bigger goals. God is good, and faithful and continues to provide for our family in ways that surprise us.

I'll save the update on my business for another day - but I wanted to add that things are going spectacular. Yeah, that's a good word. Look for an update about this soon. I promise not to disappoint!

But ofcourse, I much touch on the kids before closing this update. They are both doing so good. Having an almost 3 year old and an almost 18 month old has it's definite joys and challenges. They are little buddies and play, play, play together while they are awake. The little squabbles are a given, but for the most part - they laugh, and chase, and giggle their way through the day - and I find nothing more wonderful than watching their budding relationship. Hearing Lucas protect his sister, "watch out Livvy, that is dangerous!" makes me smile, and watching Liv burst into laughter at Lucas's antics makes me laugh equally hard. How in the world did I get so blessed?

Lucas will begin potty training (again) soon. I'm still not 100% on the train, but am feeling more and more guilty about not starting. Like, maybe I'll scar him for life if he's still wearing diapers by his 3rd birthday. Although he is going #2 on the potty about 90% of the time, he still ets super distracted and wets his pants a lot. And he doesn't care. No matter how many times I tell him that Spiderman and Batman hate getting wet. He just gets super into his playtime, and forgets to tell me he has to pee! At this rate, I'll be potty training Lucas and Livvy together. How about that?!? Ha ha.

Well, I think I'll close for now. It's late, and I have a fairly busy day tomorrow. So glad I sat down to do this though. It's good for me - and I know there are lots of family and friends who still read this - despite my absence lately. I'll try and be more present here :)

Love, Me