The Most Wonderful Mother

Sometimes I play this game with myself where I break down my traits, into two categories-ones from my father and ones from my mother. Eyebrows, dad. Smile, mom. Handwriting, dad. Snort, mom. Each reminds me where I belong.

Some people worry about ending up like their parents but I worry that I won't. I want to end up like my mother. So, I play this game.

Things that remind me that I am my Mother's daughter.

Stopping to give homeless people money or food.

Laughing so hard that I can't breathe and end up snorting.

Wanting to spend my free time reading.

Standing up for people that I love.

Loving the time I have with my family.

Getting annoyed when people read over my shoulder.

Hating the cold with a passion.

Loving all paper products and owning a milliom notebooks.

Mom, you are the most wonderful woman I know. You are smart, brave, kind and beautiful. I   love you a million smiles that look just like yours. Happy Birthday!

Sunshine On My Shoulders

This is my excited face.

It's April, which means....National Poetry Month, for one, and the beginning of my countdown to summer, for another. Do I talk about summer a lot? I just can not help it. I love summer. I dream for summer. 

In the meantime, here are some things I am excited/happy about

-My trip to Washington DC...hello, 'Washington DC is paradise to me'*

-The fact that I don't have to wear tights every single day. Though I might be scaring people with my white legs.

-The West Wing. I am about 10 years late to the party on this show but I love it. And it makes me want to know more about the Constitution, which seems like a good thing.

-Easter Candy. I mean, it is half price at Wal-Mart.

-National Poetry Month. A good excuse to write lots and lots of haiku's. Maybe I will even memorize a poem.

-My lovely friend, Emily Rita Hale, and her amazing singing performance. She faced her fears and performed for an audience at BYU. I can not stop thinking about her beautiful voice.

-Book making! The perfect hobby for me.

Excited yet?

*this actually comes from a song that is all about DC. Look it up!

One Year Later

One year into the mission

Today was one year since I returned from my mission. I think about my mission every single day. I think about the people I taught, the members I worked with, how hard it was, and the lessons I learned.

I almost did not go. I thought I was too old and I didn't want to give up all my plans. For months, I went back and forth. Go. Don't go. Go. Don't go. I put my papers and waited, terrified that I had made the wrong decision.

Then my call came and as I read it, standing out by our mailbox, I felt it. The spirit confirming to me that this was right and good. As I read 'the Spain Barcelona Mission', I knew that God had heard my prayers and was putting me exactly where I needed to be.

I thought missions were such a sacrifice. Leaving everything I know and love? Put all my plans on hold? I have come to realize, is it such a sacrifice when you come out with so much more.All the things I gave up for 18 months, would never amount to the experiences and happiness the mission has brought me.

I miss Spain everyday. I miss clipping on my nametag. I miss talking to strangers on the street. I miss struggling with Spanish. I miss my companions. I miss that blazing happiness I felt when teaching with the Spirit. I miss sharing my testimony everyday. I miss the people I taught.

But I will always be a Spain Barcelona Missionary. An El Faro Missionary. The things I learned and felt are written on my heart and I hope I am following them everyday.

On my mission someone said ' the best mission is the one you are currently in'. So even though I am no longer a missionary, I can still be learning and progressing. That was what my mission taught me. To be happy where I am, to do cheerfully all that is in my power and trust in God.

Oh Summer Where Art Thou?

How I felt about my birthday...delicious

This winter has been a test of my patience. Though I have lived in Idaho for most of my life, I have little tolerance for cold. And snow even less. I  think it should only snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas, to get everyone in the spirit. This winter it has snowed mountains. Every time I thought we had got through the worst of it, it would snow again. Ahh! Save me from the ever growing pile of snow on my porch.

It is good that my birthday came in the midddle because I needed somehing to pull me out of my snow induced stupor. Nothing makes me happier than a good birthday celebration.  I love having a day (or whole month), all about me. And so I celebrated in true Melissa fashion with cute new clothes, books, delicious food, dance parties and karaoke. I mean I sang 'America' by Neil Diamond on my birthday. Perfect way to usher in my 26 year.

Thanks self, for being born in February in an efort to drive away the winter blues. Thanks parents, for just having me and lovimg me.

And now that my birthday month is over, can we bring on Summer? Thanks!

It's Always A Good Time

A Roberts reanactment of Thanksgiving dinner

This past week was American Thanksgiving, which was equal parts fabulous and terribly short. I haven't been home for Thanksgiving in two years and it has been four since we were all home together. It was celebration time. And boy did we celebrate in true Roberts fashion.

Kimberlyn woke me up early Thursday morning. Normally I would have been annoyed, especially since she woke me up by touching my leg(scary!),  but then we got to snuggle while Sarah entertained us with her dinner roll impressions. I am convinced that Sarah could have own show and be a roaring sucess. That girl is hilarious.

Once the rest of the household woke up, the boys and I started my favorite Thanksgiving tradition. The Lord of the Rings Marathon.  Can there be a better way to celebrate, then watching the Fellowship save Middle Earth? I think not.

Then of course we had the main event...turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, green bean casserole, stuffing. Mmmm delicious. Good food + hilarious conversation= perfection.

After dinner, I tried to convince everyone to dance to One Direction. There weren't many takers oddly enough. Then it was on to our Thanksgiving 'pagaent', which consisted of us laying on the floor, in a circle pretending to be Thanksgiving food. Yep, that is Sarah with the blanket over her being the perfect dinner roll. Pagaent sucess.

With that being said, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for many things. For my fabulous family, who are both hilarious and crazy. For my siblings, who allow me to be the cool older sister and go along with my wild schemes. For my fantastic parents, that taught me everything I needed to know and who inspire me everyday. For my mission and all the people I met, the lessons learned, the heart that changed. For my job, and my amazing co-workers. For my beautiful friends, near and far-so awesome. For twinkle lights, my own comfy pillow, cute skirts, red lipstick and delicious food. For dance parties, bike rides, fresh flowers and lettters in the mail. For starry nights, music,  hot showers, hilarious stories. For Jesus Christ, the gospel and the Atonement.

Thanks. This life of mine is pretty wonderful

This Is Happening...

What is going on in my life?
Seeing as how it is your lucky day, I am going to tell you!

1. I finally broke down and bought an ice scraper. Clearing six inches of snow off my car with a cup convinced me that it would be a good purchase.

2. I bought the new One Direction album. I will be listening to it nonstop for the next couple of weeks. Niall is my favorite, in case you were wondering.

3. My car has become my portable library. Which means I never have to be without my favorite books!

4. I finally got a chair for my desk. The chair type is Frode...so in honor of Hobbits everywhere, I decided to call it Frodo.

5. I am knitting a scarf. And when I say knitting, I mean I am knitting it using a knifty knitter. Which might be cheating.

6. I dressed up as Jackie O for Halloween. Favorite Costume Ever!

7. Last Friday, I went to a Thanksgiving dinner my ward hosted for Young Adults with disabilities. It was a blast. There was a kid that reminded me of Sarah... he was saying 'Just Kidding' over and over again.

8. I need a Pen Pal. Anyone want to volunteer?

9. I am excited beyond measure for the Holidays. I might dress in Christmas colors all December.

10. I went to a wedding reception and there was dancing. Aren't weddings with dancing just the best weddings? I could have danced all night...bahaha

11. I think I want to be a librarian.

Nights of Glamour and Glitter

This past weekend was splendid. There are several reasons for the splendidness of this past weekend, which include, A) I got to spend it with people I adore, B) I got to dress up...twice, and C) I purchased a Hobbit Moleskine Notebook.  

The weekend kicked off with an all night Glamour Night to celebrate Miss Emily Rita Hale turning a quarter of a century. We got all dolled up and took some hilarious shots. My hair was so full of hairspray that my bangs stood up without bobby pins. That is a lot of hairspray. I also had a ton of glitter put in my hair, which meant that every time I moved, I moved in a cloud of glitter. 

Then on Saturday I got to attend a murder mystery party...as a flapper. Which is my dream come true! I love the 20's! I altered a dress I found by adding fringe to the bottom and made my own headband.  I got to spend time with Miss Melissa and boy did we laugh. We looked up some 20's slang, drank fake alcohol, and tried to guess the 'murderer'.  

Honestly, I love dressing up. I have decided that I would be entirely happy dressing up in costumes to make my living. Just for fun, not to be an actress or a model.

Anyone having a costume party they want to invite me to?

Entering the World Of Pinterest

Source: baubauhaus.com via melissa on Pinterest

Since I got home from my mission, people have been talking to me about Pinterest. It sounded pretty neat, but knowing my obsessive nature and my desire to collage things, I decided it was probably better not. Until last week when I secretly joined. Well, not so secret now.

What I like best about Pinterest are not all the great recipes or funny quotes. Most delightful to me is that Pinterest is a fountain of all things nerdy. Which is why my one and only board, "the Nerd Herd" is mostly filled with things about Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, with a few pictures of libraries thrown in for good measure. And of course some cats.

So, if you like Harry Potter, or Cats, or Libraries, you should probably join me on Pinterest.

Mother Knows Best

My Mother seeing into the future...

At the beginning of July, I decided to spread my wings and fly away to live in Salt Lake. In order to do that, I needed transportation. Cheap transportation. My friend offered to sell me her car for an low price and my parents agreed. Perfect. Time to fly away.

There were a couple of things needed so that I could drive my new car...registration, a new battery, gas...so my Mother and I headed out to get my car ready to drive.  As we were driving to the DMV, it started to smoke a little. My Mother said 'That would be bad if your car started on fire'. Truer words were never spoken. Little did she know that she had just seen into the future. 

Two weeks later, I sat waiting on the side of the highway because my car was smoking. One more day and my engine burst into flames two houses from my destination. Luckily my clothes nor my cowboy boots caught on fire. AHHH!!

Then, I rode my scooter around Salt Lake for about two months. I was given candy by some homeless people, I got hit in the parking lot at work, I got whistled at everyday.

Now, I am a proud owner of a beautiful Canadian Toyota....

Isn't she pretty?

If you want, you can leave a suggestion for a name in the comments...

Obsessed

Our Olympic Wall 2008  or Michael Phelps tribute

I don't think I am alone in my recent obsession of the Olympics. Everyone I know has been watching them almost non-stop. Everyone has their favorite Olympic sport. Mine is swimming. And Michael Phelps.

I need to be clear. I liked Olympic swimming way before Michael Phelps entered the scene. I can still remember watching the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. And the special Olympic pins we bought. I remember wishing that I could swim that fast.

Which brings me to my Olympic wall of 2008. Emily and I decided that we would put on our closet door, all the moments of Olympic greatness. Well, after about a week, it was clear that it was only going to have pictures of Michael Phelps. For some reason we have never taken it down. It was still hanging there when I came home from my mission. It was just waiting for another run of glory in 2012. And it happened.

I love you Summer Olympics.

So, this is farewell my dear London Olympics of 2012. I will miss watching your swimming golden boy race. Maybe you will still be hanging on my closet in 2016.

Also....my obsession went as far as this. In 2010, I bought a Michael Phelps calender for 25 cents at Hallmark. I still haven't quite decided what to do with it, but my family teases me endlessly. 

Cats Being Catlike

Eleanor, our favorite foster kitty

Sometimes I just really love my family. And cats, Last week, I posted this picture of our 'foster' cat, Eleanor, on Instagram. Within a day my Mom, Devin, Emily and Meagan had all posted pictures of this darling kitty being a funny cat. Cat Wars.

The best part was when I asked my Dad if he was going to post his own picture of Eleanor. "I would never post a picture of that cat. I hate cats". Now we just need to figure out a way to photo bomb him, only with Eleanor.

My family. And cats. Aren't they just so cute?

Come On Melissa, Jump!

Today, I jumped into the pool. With all my clothes on. It was fun and felt so summery. I love doing silly things like that and making my siblings laugh.

Monday, I am moving to Salt Lake...to start my somewhat grown up life. Which is exciting? terrifying? A mixture of both. I am not good at stepping into the unknown. I like to see where I am going and what is in store for me. But maybe part of being a grown up is enjoying not knowing exactly what is going to happen. Maybe it is jumping, not knowing, but ready to smile and laugh.

So, Wish me luck....

I am about to Jump

I Need A Laugh

When I need a good laugh, I like to google images of Snoop Dogg.

I mean, how could that face not make you laugh?

Oh Hey!

Is there anyone still waiting in anticipation to read about my incredibly fabulous life?

I am emerging from my post-mission funk...who knew it would be so difficult to come home?

But, I have had some wonderful experiences in the few months I have been home. Traveled to Arizona, California. Watched a lot of baseball. Read books. Sewed. Thought about my future. Spent time with family and friends. Danced.

I am excited for Summer. And for all the adventures that are coming!

While I was Away...

Sarah started writing notes. Now, she writes me notes like this one...

I love notes like this.

Right Now I Am Listening to Enrique Iglesias in Spanish...

Apparently people want me to blog...namely my Mom, which I find humorous since I am with her pretty much all the time.

So, a peek into my post mission life.

I am looking for a job. Is there any activity that I loath more? I think not.

I spend a lot of time with Kimberlyn. She is my new best friend. She thinks I am funny. Perfect. Even if we have to fight over Justin Bieber.

I read Mockingjay. I got my haircut. I went to Arizona. I practice my Spanish. I play Settlers of Catan. I laugh with my family.

I 'adjust'.

Sometimes...I miss Spain.

Everything Is Just So Fancy

Right now I am at the Seminary, typing on my Dad's tablet. It has only taken me like 5 minutes to write these 2 sentences. It is a slow and steady process. I am trying not to say at every moment 'oh my goodness how things have changed'. Difficult. I am beginning to understand how Rip Van Winkle felt. Minus the long white beard. I have watched Tangled and read Mockingjay, so I think I am pretty caught up on what I missed.

Anything else I need to know, watch or read...from the last 18 months? Also I need to decide what to do with my future....any suggestions?

John Denver Said It Best...Hey It's Good to Be Back Home Again

So, I am back. Whenever I visualized myself back at home, I always pictured wearing my Great Harvest sweatshirt, wool socks and my Snoopy pajamas. Dreams=Reality.

How was the Birthday?

My Birthday was grand! It truly was a great day and the mailbox has been flooded! Letters=Love. Hna. Soderquist is not a big birthday person(she would rather people ignore her birthday) but she made me an amazing crown and let me celebrate my style! It was a good way to start out the next quarter of a century! Thanks to everyone for all the Love! We had district meeting, so the Elders filled my bag full of confetti...obviously while I was not looking! It was a fun day!

The Best of all was that Joselyn got BAPTIZED!!! She was so excited, and when she was all dressed in white, she told us she felt like an angel. She was nervous but in the end it was perfect. She went under the water like she had been baptized a million times before. She had told us that she did not want to give her testimony but in the end she got up and testified about the Hope she now feels for her life! She is amazing!!! Her mother, Julia, was telling us how Joselyn has a stubborn personality, that she never does things unless she truly wants to. This is true...she said that she does not like to read but she reads everyday in the Book of Mormon! I do not think I will ever get tired of seeing people baptized! It is beautiful!

  I think something I have learned as a missionary is the importance of following the Spirit. I am still not perfect at following it, but I think I am able to better recognize when the spirit is speaking to me. On saturday night, after the baptism, we did not have a lot to do. We had tried passing by a couple of people but no one was home. There was a member in that area that we hadn´t seen for awhile, so we decided to pass by. It turned out to be the perfect moment. She has been sick and on top of that she has been passing through some hard family things. We were able to call someone to come and give her a blessing, and then we made a cake for her son´s birthday. I am so grateful for the spirit, that it always guides us to people that need love. I am so grateful for the priesthood and for righteous priesthood holders, who when we call them say 'I will be right over'. CHARITY! It is so beautiful. And it is in those moments that I truly feel like I am an instrument in the Lord's hands! 

 This week is going to be great! With tons of miracles! I am so excited! I love being a missionary. There is no greater joy than sharing the gospel! It just fills you right up...with joy, light and happiness!

I am praying that this week will be the best of my mission! Pray that we will be able to find lots of prepared families!

I love you a million beautiful perfect baptisms!

Love, Melissa the Beautiful

RaRaRa...the letters come pouring in

In other news, I officially can not spell in English.

In even more other news, I officially turn a quarter of a century tomorrow. I am AWESOME!

True to my character, I have let everyone know that it will be my birthday and that we need to celebrate. Thanks for all the cards...

This week has been great! The weather has taken a turn for the sunshine, which I attribute to Heavenly Father´s love for me in this my birthday month! This weekend should be amazing with the baptism of Joselyn, as well as the baptism of Carlos...the man from Mexico I told you about!

I have decided that I truly love teaching the gospel. It is fun to share the things that bring me such happiness! Because everything that I truly love comes from the Gospel!!

Last week we were calling some old investigators...ones that neither Hna. Soderquist or I had ever met. We got in contact with an old man named Guiseppe, who is in the hospital. We asked if we could come to visit him and he said yes! It was a wonderful experience. He is very ill and can barely speak but he asked us to sing 'I am a Child Of God'. We sang it first in Spanish, then in English. His face just smoothed over and he had a smile on his face, with his eyes closed. I guess I forget sometimes that we are all children of God, no matter what our age is. There was such a peace in the room- Heavenly Father truly does love each of us!

A nice compliment to me...some of the members have said that it doesn´t seem like I am going home because I am still working hard! YES YES YES! There are still more miracles out there waiting for me! And I still need to find my family! Dad, Mom and Child!!!

I love you a million sings of 'I am a Child of God'

Love, Melissa the Beautiful