Let's talk missions.

Since the age change of missionaries (to learn more, click here), when people learn I am 20 the first thing they ask is "Are you going to go on a mission?!" Let me answer. 

Just because I am of age does not mean I HAVE to go. Yes they changed the age. Yes missionaries are great and I hear it is quite the experience. But I am not going on a mission. I have prayed about it and it's just not for me RIGHT NOW. Maybe it changes in the future, maybe it doesn't but that is my answer.

But let's talk about other missionaries. 

At the beginning of the year, we got a set of sister missionaries (Sister Dunlop and Sister Solipo) in my home ward. I love having sisters instead of elders because I feel like I can actually be friends with them and it's not awkward when they come over for dinner hah.  Anyway, they asked me one day to come out teaching with them. At first it was a little weird just trying to get to know each other and what not, but after a while I started becoming their go to person to go out with them. If they had someone fall through, they would call me. As time passed, I started going out with them about once a week. They called me their "Friday night date". We became best friends and I love them both so much! Sister Dunlop is from Oregon and Sister Solipo is from Hawaii. For Valentine's day, I texted a picture of them to both of their families, I always hear stories of members of the wards contacting the families while on their missions and they love it. Anyway, Sister Dunlop's mom and I became pretty good friends and she texts me so I can get a package to her, or order her flowers. It's been so much fun!! About 6 weeks ago, Sister Solipo got transferred to another area and I was so sad! And now Sister Dunlop is being transferred, so now they are both gone. We really were best friends and I miss them already!

They have both promised to come back and visit so hopefully they do!

Sister Dunlop, me, and Sister Solipo

Sister Dunlop and I before she left

Onto other missionaries. 

My brother Darrell, who is just younger than me {but bigger than me}, got his mission call!
He is going to the INDIA BANGALORE MISSION. English speaking. He reports July 30. 
When he opened it, we were all in shock (I think he was too!) But he is going to be great and I will miss him so much! 

 Well, until next time.

xoxo

 

What I've Been Up Too

 So clearly I am terrible at updating this. I always come up with the greatest posts but when I go to write them, I can never express my thoughts how I want them! It's so frustrating, but here's what I've been up to for a while {mostly in pictures}

I have officially changed my major back to nursing. It's been a long road but I think I am sticking to it this time. I love psychology and was set on it but when my dad was in the hospital, I would just watch all the nurses and was torn. I want to help people and be a nurse, but I also want to do psychology. So now I can start the process of applying and waiting to get into a program!  

I also have a real "grown up" job! My neighbors own a commercial cleaning business called Bldg.Works. I mostly just do paper work and office stuff for them, but I love the people {mostly just me and another lady in the office} I work with! I have also learned that office relationships are a bad idea {I had to learn that one the hard way... Whoops!} But it's all good! 

Darrell graduated high school! {May 2013}

I bought a car the day before my 20th birthday! I had been working hard and saving my money for a while, so I was pretty proud of myself :)  {August 2013}

Kristen wanted to practice her photography. 

I went to Disneyland with Kristy and her family. It was so fun and I got to meet Belle! She is my favorite princess! {August 2013} 

California with Kristy, Cole, Ali, Emma, Laura, Megan and I! {August 2013} 

I got to visit my family in South Dakota in November. I seriously LOVE them so much and love visiting them! 

I went to Disneyland a second time with my besties; Sarah, Sharol and Lia. It was seriously a BLAST! I have never been to Disneyland at Christmas time so it was so fun to see all the lights up.  {December 2013}

My cousin, Jenson, returned from his mission in the Dominican Republic. It is so fun to have him back! He is my only cousin my age on my mom's side so we get along pretty well! {December 2013}

Temple Christmas lights with Ry! Love my little mini me! { December 2013}

Andrew & DeeDee had a precious little boy, Ruger James Porter, January 16, 2014. He is so much fun and I love him!

My sweet Grandma Porter turned 90 in February! She is my only living grandma and I love her so much! {February 2014}

...and that's what's been going on in my life lately! 

Things I've Learned.

{Warning there is a lot of writing and venting} Happy reading! 

Being a live-in nanny has taught me so many things, not only about myself but skills that will be helpful for the future when I have my own family! I am so glad I got to be there for a while but I AM EXCITED TO BE HOME FOR GOOD! Yes, you read that right. I am back home! It is really nice to be home and I am excited to get back into school and start having a social life, but I do really miss being with my cute little kiddos everyday! 

Here are some of the things that I learned and maybe it will help someone else! 

1. Patience

I have always considered myself to be a pretty patient person, especially when I am with kids but sometimes they would try my patience. I learned that I need to be more patient with the kids and not let their little things bother me. 

2. Life plans change

All my life I have always wanted to be a nurse and planned out all my schooling and was so excited to start so I could help other people. I thought that was my life course! Well apparently it isn't. I have now changed my schooling plans and I am going to be studying PSYCHOLOGY. What?! I'm still a little shocked but excited! It still seems crazy to me because I thought I knew what I wanted and how my life was going to go! But through much study and prayer I know this is what I am supposed to be doing and I can't wait to start! 

3. I am who I am 
All my life I have had a problem with my self esteem. I never thought I was pretty enough or good enough or smart enough and the list goes on and on. You see, I am a shy person so making new friends comes as a challenge to me. In 7th and 8th grade I had a great group of friends and we would hang out all the time and email each other and have so much fun! Well 9th grade came along with sports, cheer and everything else that made our little group go different ways and not be as close. This was hard for me because I didn't have many friends. All through high school I only went to a few dances, didn't go out much on weekends or to parties because I didn't get invited. It was hard for me and all those negative thoughts came back to me telling me I wasn't good enough. 

Being away, having to leave my friends and going to a whole new place was eye opening for me. I didn't make many friends while I was away because I didn't go out but I did come to a conclusion. I AM WHO I AM AND I AM GOOD ENOUGH. I am glad I discovered this now because growing up and trying to find Mr. Right is hard. I am not as pretty as my best friend, I don't go on as many dates as another girl, and I don't get invited to as everyone else but I AM ME. 

4. I am stronger than I think
The past 8 months have been some of the hardest {I don't mean to exaggerate} months of my life so far. But really. There were times when I cried myself to sleep because I wanted all the heartache to stop but it just wouldn't. 
Watching people close to me make bad decisions and seeing how they affect not only themselves but their spouse and children! It frustrates me to no end that I can't open that person's eyes and show them that they are destroying something so good and the best thing that has happened in their life. 
Seeing children go through so much hurt that it hurts me to watch and they aren't even my kids! 
Standing by and watching my dad go through health problems and not being able to do anything to ease his pain.
Yes I have struggled, but through every trial I grow into a stronger person. I have become so much stronger than I could even imagine being at 19. {I am not bragging, just stating my feelings :)}

5. My family is so good.
I have always loved my family sooo much, but being away I have realized how much they are there to support me and help me when I need it! 
There was one weekend in Tucson when I was having a particularly hard time and just wanted to be home with my family and have them comfort me. The closest thing I thought I had was a phone call to my mom crying to her and her doing the best she could to console me over the phone. Well a few minutes later my brother, Andrew and his wife Dee Dee told me they were coming to Tucson for the day. They couldn't have called at a better time! When they got to my house they told me my mom said I could come home, even though it was just for the night, and she would bring me back the next day! I couldn't have been more excited and I am grateful they were willing to drive 2 hours there and back just to pick me up. I love them so much!!! 
One week Kristy had to be gone for the week for work. We had worked out that her mom would come get the girls so I would just have Cole and it would be easier. Well my sister Kristen worked out her schedule where she came for 1 night and stayed with me! I am so glad she did and even though it wasn't long it meant so much to me! 

I have learned so much through these past months and am excited to keep learning, but be at home! Props if you read the whole thing :) 

I will update with more fun things later!

xoxo

2012

Yes I know it's already the middle of February, but I wanted to highlight some great events that happened in 2012! Since I have already posted about some of them, I will just do the ones I missed! 

Not sure how I missed this one, but Maddison Raelene Pear was born on January 18, 2012. I missed being there for the birth by only a few minutes, let's not talk about that, but was able to be there and hold her when she was just a few minutes old! Isn't she the cutest?!? She was definitely spoiled by this auntie of hers! She also just turned ONE last month! It is crazy how fast they grow up. 

Another event that's not anywhere near exciting is I got braces! I am really happy that I have them now because they have already straightened my teeth so much. One year down, one more to go!  

We also got to go see Wicked at Gammage! That was probably one of the funnest things I have done! My dad had been wanting to go for a long time and when he heard it was coming to Gammage he told me I was in charge of watching when tickets go on sale. Of course I was on board! My mom, dad, me and my  friend Caelan all went. It was seriously such a good play and I can't wait to see it again!

In November, my best friend got MARRIED! It was already weird when people I graduated with got married, but when it's your best friend it makes it so much more weird! Hayley and I have been friends since we were babies. We are only 4 days apart and have been in the same ward our whole lives! We have had many good times and I love her so much! :)

In December I had the opportunity to go back to South Dakota to not only visit Brad, Heather and their kids, but I also got to be there when Emmie Elizabeth was born on December 3, 2012.Heather had an at home water birth with a midwife so I was able to be there from the time she went into labor until she was born!  Since I am going into nursing and labor&delivery has been on my mind as something I want to specialize in, it made it an even more interesting experience for me. The body is amazing and the babies are such a MIRACLE. I may or  may not have cried when she was born, and she's not even my own child! It was a sad day when I   had to leave. Isn't she adorable?! I love being an aunt. :) 

Technically this happened in January 2013 but I am now living in Tucson. My sister-in-law Kristy got a promotion at her job here. So while Kristy, the kids, and I are all living here in Tucson, Matt is finishing up his contract in Eagar. It makes it a little rough but you do what you have to! It was funny because I had gotten used to the small town with no traffic and quiet for 5 months that it was almost an adjustment back into the big city life! It has been good here, nothing too exciting but there are many Targets here which makes living here okay! 

Well that's all! 

xoxo, 

Melissa 

P.S. shout out to Kay who is the one that motivated me to update this because she actually reads it! :) 

Changes

Since I know you all {and by all I mean like the 2 people that actually read this} have been dying to know what the big change has been in my life I'm here to tell you!{insert drum roll here} No I am not getting married. 

I am a resident of Eagar!! 

Here is how it all happened:

 You see, my brother and his cute family{pictured above}have lived in Eagar for a while because Matt got a job on the police department here and Kristy[his wife] scored an awesome job at the power plant here so why not right?? I came to stay with them for a week this summer while Matt was gone for some military training. I loved VISITING here but I was never felt like I could be a small town girl. I love Mesa and everything about it, especially that my family is there! Anyway we were driving down to the valley and Kristy starts telling me that if I ever want to leave Mesa I could come to Eagar and be their nanny. I would have my own room and would get paid and it would just be my job! I just kind of laughed it off because I have had the same offer from Brad who lives in South Dakota multiple times. I guess you could say I am the favorite aunt ;) So I just told her that I would think about it. Well a couple weeks later they came down for a visit and after they left I got a text from Matt telling me that they were serious about having me come live with them, they would pay me, I would have my own room, and as a bonus I could use their wifi haha. After the second offer I decided I would consider that option. I was ready for a change in my life. I talked to my parents about it and surprisingly enough it was my dad who took it the hardest. Being the baby girl and all he just didn't want me to leave. But essentially they both decided it was my decision to make and they would support me either way. After much prayer and consideration, I decided to come up here. It sure has been an adventure, especially since Winter has started and the freezing cold weather! But I am grateful that I can be here and be a help to them. I love my nieces and nephew so much and we have a good time! The hardest part is being away from everyone in Mesa. Sometimes I just need a big hug from my mom or a girls shopping day! Thank goodness it is only 4 hours away so it's not too big of a deal when we want to go down to the valley. 

These girls are amazing and I miss them so badly. 

I sure do miss seeing this girl all the time, but no worries I still spoil her when I am visiting!  Like I said, favorite aunt :)

My sister and best friend. I miss her all the time and I love her a whole lot! 

Summer 2012

This summer was a pretty exciting one!! I finished my first year of college, which is still so weird for me. My brother Brad and his family from South Dakota drove down and stayed for a few weeks in May. I had planned on going back to visit this summer anyway, so to save some money we decided for me to drive back with them! Well 1 van, 6 kids, 4 adults, 5 states, a stop in Show Low to visit Heather's sister and family and 28 hours later we made it to South Dakota! It was quite the adventure. We drove through the night so the kids could just sleep. It was so fun to stay with them for a few weeks! 

For the 4th of July we went to the D-Backs game. It was so fun. We all got free t-shirts, they had an amazing program honoring all of the soldiers fighting for our freedom, and even had a big firework show afterwards! We had a fun time as a family and hopefully they play at home again next year so we can go again! 

All the family that went

Sportin' our free shirts! 

My best friend, Sarah, had a birthday in July so a bunch of us girls got together and had such a fun day together! We went to lunch, hung out at her house, then some of us went and saw Spiderman. I love all of these girls so much! 

Lunch with the girls at Sassy's Cafe

I love this picture.

haboob!

Matching green pants

SPIDERMAN!! 

One of my friends, Kortney, got an cornea ulcer {crazy right?} so Sarah and I went to visit her and took her some DQ. We had a blast just talking and hanging out! 

Sarah, Kortney, me

 One of my best friends left on his mission at the end of August. We have been best friends since he moved here in 4th grade. We became even better friends when we went on a tour with our choir Junior year of high school.I miss him so much already. He truly is so amazing and loves the gospel so much and is going to be a great missionary! 

Traditional Missionary dinner

We have all been in the same church classes since we were little! Best friends forever. We are missing Rachel who is at BYU! 

Me, Holden, and my mom

Sure do love this guy and am going to miss him! Oh , and I also got to speak with him at his farewell.  

This was my last Sunday with my sunbeams. I loved working  with them and their crazy personalities. 

I got to play with these girls before Linds went back up to BYU and Hayley got engaged! 

Sarah, Linds, Me, Hayley

Well that is my summer in a nutshell. My family did take a 10 day trip to Illinois which I will post about later. Some big changes have happened, but that will come later too! 

Over and out. 

{melissa}

Giveaway

So I am horrible at updating this thing, but I will catch up later. Right now I am blogging about a giveaway that I want to win! Nicole at Living with Fletch {http://www.livingwithfletch.com/} is doing a JunieBlake giveaway. I was looking at all their dresses and decided it would be AMAZING to win it. So if you haven't seen her blog yet, check it out!