La Vita E Bella

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

Our Family

overdue is the understatement of the year. busy is too. but we're still alive, and happy, and healthy, and growing. so many changes and so little time to sit down and write about it. how about this? I promise to sit down before the weekends over and give a nice update - until then, feast your eyes on our family photos from today. How wonderful? These were taken by the amazing Eden of Photography by Eden. They are phenomenal. See you soon!

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 :)

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!

Check it out!!

Hey! If you haven't already, head over to my Photography Blog  I've changed some things around, and posted some of my most recent sessions! Sadly, I've blogged more over there this past month then here - but you should have some fun looking at cute kids, and ofcourse, leave a comment if you have a moment. I just love blog love, and would appreciate hearing from you all!

Now, time to draft an update for this blog. What has it been? Like 6 weeks? Yikes! I'll be back :)

Love, Me

Jumping into Summer

The summer is in full swing here in Reno, and we are doing our best to enjoy every second. The other day, Trei decided to get a season pass to the local waterpark. Now, I'm not going to sugar coat this. I totally made fun of this waterpark. Having grown up an hour away from Raging Waters.....looking at this puny little waterpark made me laugh. I told Trei to go ahead and get a pass, but not to worry about me. As he packed the kids up (they are free admission!), I told him to keep a good eye on the both of them. They are fast, and busy, and it can be a difficult task to keep them both within reach. About two hourse later, he was home, and said without much hesitation that he can't be going alone with both kids anymore (haha). So then came the question. "Melissa, can't you just get a pass. It's fun, and not crowded in the kiddie area, and you can just have some family fun!". I put a few moments of thought into it (not before making sure to mock it's size for the millionth time!) and said "What the heck, okay". It was official, the next day, we were going to be waterparking it as a family.

And you know what?! It was awesome! The kids enjoyed the water, and the other kids, and just being outside....and Trei and I got to cool off, take a break from life, and enjoy some family time. I'm going to have to get over my fear of being in a bathing suit in front of other people....because the truth is, a coverup is pretty lame when it's sopping wet and sticking to your body. But if Trei thinks I'll go running Baywatch style for one of our kids....he is sorely mistaken. I'm not THAT brave.

Waterpark Pass = $99

Bathing Suit = $9.99 (Ross Baby!!)

Bottle Water = $2

Time Spent with my Family = Priceless

 

Love, Me

Goodness

God is good.

My heart is filled with joy. My husband is my other half, my lover and my best friend. My kids are wonderful and endearing and BEAUTIFUL!!! My parents and siblings and family are loving and supportive and one-of-a-kind. My friends are funny and gracious and real.

I am happy, and thankful. I'm content and secure. I'm going to be an AUNT. I stay home with my kids AND make money doing something that excites me and challenges me.

I'm amazed that even though we have less (stuff), I have never felt so full and alive and present and ready.

God is good.

Life.

Life. It's unexpected and mysterious and always changing. And although we know their is a definite PLAN in place, one specifically directed by the hands of God, it's unknown to us - and so, we are ultimately walking by faith. And God doesn't promise us an easy road, as Matthew 5:45 says, "...For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike." Which means I'm not exempt from hurt - but the beauty of a relationship with the Lord, is I'm promised comfort, peace, and the knowledge that He will never burden me with more than I can handle.

When we made the decision to move to Reno last September, we knew we were making the right decision. God just aligned everything perfectly. We had a home there, with a renter who was moving out, and we had no doubts that Trei would find a job, and we would jump into a fairly bump-free life. See....that's what happens when two optimists are married to eachother. But that aside, our "plans" seemed feasible given the information we had at hand. So, we moved. We packed up our family of four and headed to Reno.

Only, it wasn't was a smooth road, it was littered with pot holes and cracks and giant hurdles. For the first four months, Trei couldn't find a job. He was out every single day, and literally could not. find. a. job. And we were burning through the small savings we had paying for our mortgage payment, and all the incidentals that arise from taking care of a home. Throw that into the mix with a car payment, insurance (both health and auto), gas, utilities (just the bare minimums too!), and then just the necessities (food,diapers, prescriptsions, toiletries, etc) - we were spent. Literally. And there were many nights we sat in bed questioning why God had brought us here. We knew He brought us to Reno, but we didn't know why.

As time went by, Trei started working. And then I started booking sessions. And we started the long, tiring journey up a very discouraging hill.

A few weeks ago, we had to make some decisions. We looked over our finances, we looked over our expenses - and something had to give in order for us to build a future. We knew our income wasn't going to change, but our expenses could. So it the matter of a 24 hour period, we gave up one of our cars, and signed the papers to short-sale our house (one we are very upside-down on). And in that 24 hour period I felt feelings of both defeat and liberation. Defeat, because we had worked SO hard to keep our home. Living in Newport, we busted our butts to pay both rent on our apartment in the OC AND make up the difference between our rental income and our mortgage payment (which at times was $900!!). And our car, it was purchased back when we were both working full-time, and had no idea what the future would hold. We made our payment every month, never late, and invested in the upkeep. And now, they were gone. But see, the liberation? It came from the knowledge that although we did everything in our power to hold onto these things, having them removed from our plate, opened us up to breathe. Giving us an opportunity for a blank slate - to begin building the foundation for our future. 

And sometimes I wonder, why God even allowed us to move back into this house. Why all the work, and anticipation of being able to settle, when He knew we would be packing it back up within a year? The answer to that questions is still unknown, but see, I know that God has reasons that I cannot understand. And He has PURPOSE. A purpose that is way better than anything I can understand or imagine. So, I'm moving forward, and anticipating the journey, and reminding myself daily that this life is not my own, and that whole plan for my life? It's unfolding before me, and I'm making a choice to see the beauty in its mystery and the joy in its unknown. I'm choosing to not get attached to the material things that have no meaning or worth - but instead, to be thankful for my family, my friends, my health, My God. I know I've said it before, but those are all that really matter. And when I watched them drive off with my car or as potential buyers come looking to make MY home THEIR home - I am at peace. Because these things are just things. At night, when I sneak into my babies bedrooms and kiss their cheeks.....no one can take that from me. When I'm talking to God, and he turns my hurt into happiness and my fear into peace.....no one can take that from me either.

So life. It's never going to be predictable, and pretty, and comfortable. But God. He is constant. He is beautiful, and He is so very comfortable. And He gives this life meaning - and let me tell you, a life with meaning has a worth far greater than a car and a house.

Me

Love is........

Love is Grand. It's Grand in the beginning stages. It's Grand in that first year of marriage. It's Grand as you approach 5 years of marriage. I can only imagine how grand it is 10, 20, 30, 50 years down the line. No wonder God says the greatest of these is Love.

I attended a wedding this weekend. Not only did I attend it, I was in it. And going to a wedding as a married person has added benefits. You see, I took the vows. I stood in front of Trei, and a room of people we love and I vowed to love, honor, and cherish. I promised to do this in sickness and in health. In the good times and in the bad. For richer or poorer. And I sealed them with a kiss. And these vows, they weren't just words. They were a contract. A commitment. A promise. They had meaning, and intention, and were from the deepest part of my heart. So weddings, they are a reminder of your own special day. And there is this unexpected feeling that rises up in you. A feeling of intense love for your own spouse.

It had been 8 days since I had last seen Trei. I was in Southern California visiting m family, working, and doing wedding stuff. He was in Reno, working, like a hard worker :) And suddenly, I saw him from the window of the bridal suite, and I was nervous. I was giddy like a little school girl. He looked so handsome in this shirt and tie. I just wanted to run out and kiss him - but I couldn't. The wedding was going to begin and I had to walk down the aisle.  When it was time, I nervously walked, looking for him in the crowd, and immediately felt at ease as soon as we locked eyes and he smiled. Well, as much at ease as I could considering my knees were knocking the whole time I was standing in the front. As I listened closely to the words Darren and Kayli spoke to eachother, my heart began to burst and my eyes welled up with tears. I was excited for the two of them, because I knew what crazy wonderful times they had ahead of them. But I was also overcome with an immense pride. These past 4 years and 9 months have been more than I could have ever hoped for. Even as Trei and I tread in unknown territories, and as we perservere in probably the most difficult time our marriage has seen - we are still married. We still kiss, hold hands, make love, and laugh. We still cheer eachother on, and know how to forgive. We don't hold grudges, and when we fight, we make up. We have endured almost 5 years of sickness and health, good times and bad, riches and flat brokeness, and two kids (which aren't part of the vows, but should be!!!) All the while loving, honoring, and cherishing. And that makes me proud. Because we've worked hard at love. We've worked hard at keeping those vows, and remaining committed to eachother and our family. We've worked hard at love. And the love just keeps getting better and better. You know how they say you never appreciate what you didn't have to work hard for? I'm sure Trei will agree with me, that we appreciate our love - because we've worked hard to make it as meaningful and glorious and breathtakingly beautiful as it is. 

 

...and so love is Grand. And weddings, where two people promise to dedicate their lives to loving eachother are also Grand.

...and you know what else is grand? That the man I first met almost 7 years ago, who has been my best friend ever since, can still make me weak in the knees. That is Grand!!

Love, Me

The Coolest of Kids

I'm coming with a great update tomorrow, but for now, I had to share these quick and awesome shots of my kids. Seriously, I'm in love with them.

Head over heels. From the very tips of my toes to the very top of my head. In Love.

Love, Me