La Vita E Bella

My Life.

My name is Melissa Vossler. I am 26 years old. I've been married for almost 4 years. 90% of the time, I'd say we are the happiest couple alive. The other 10%, we are arguing, in a disagreement or having some other normal married couple problem - Despite all of that, Trei is an amazing husband who can spark in me pure bliss or sheer anger. He knows just which buttons to press, and thankfully they are generally the nice ones :)

We have two amazing kids. Lucas is 19 months old, and although we weren't planning his arrival - we have never been more pleased with a surprise in our life. He has brought more joy, satisfaction and adventure into our lives than ever existed before his birth. He also brought in a ton of fear, anxiety, and frustration - but I can't imagine there is a parent out there who hasn't felt these varying emotions. Olivia is almost 5 months old and was very much planned. Despite the comments we have received about our decision to have two so close together while Trei is still in school and we are living in limbo, we have never given them a second thought. Olivia has been the greastest addition to our family and has only added to the daily love (and sometimes angst) we experience as a family. We plan on having more (kids that is). A few more. We don't know when, but we know that when we decide - it will be part of God's plan, and we can't argue with his timing. It's perfect.

Our life has been a roller coaster the past few years. We have learned many valuable lessons and will continue to for the rest of our life here on earth. We are not perfect. Far from it. We have made many bad mistakes but even more great ones - which is why we choose to rejoice in our excellent choices and learn (and teach) from our bad ones. One thing is certain, we have no regrets.

Traditions and Changing the World.

My posts are not happening nearly as often as I want them to. I think I need to stop overthinking things and just write. I don't necessarily need a focus, or something interesting to say - I just need to login and start typing. Trei started his LAST QUARTER of school on the 14th of July. I saw that with extreme excitement and elation. He has been pursuing his Bachelors degree since we got married (almost 4 years!) and the road has been long (and sometimes hard), so we are both anxious for him to graduate and be done with school for.ev.er. These next 10 weeks will be difficult for the both of us. Trei is commuting down to school in the OC three days a week (we join him for one of those days) and then going to work in Santa Monica the other 4 days and one morning before he has to be to school. Between work, school, and all the commuting - we hardly ever see him - which means I'm basically on my own most days and it definitely takes a toll on me some days. Talk about not having time to blog! The other day I needed to get my hair cut (it hadn't been touched since last October), and had to drop the kids off at Janea's house where she played babysitter to my two kids as well as her own energetic 19 month old. I was so very appreciative. In fact at this very moment I'm waiting for Trei to walk in after a long day of school. He left this morning at 5:45am and should be walking in the door around 9:30 or 10pm. Long day? I think so! I just keep reminding him...10 weeks will go by in a flash. We just have to buckle down and get through this in one peace. Thank God for the ability to live with my parents - it's been a huge source of help and support for us. We still have no idea our path once Trei graduates - but as always, we're trusting God with our direction and are assured it will be an exciting adventure. The photos you see above were all taken at the Orange County Fair. We took our first one in July of 2004 just a few months before our wedding day. Look at how young and in love we were (and tan too!) We missed the fair in July of 2005 because we were living in Reno - but the following summer, July 2006, we had moved back to So Cal and took our next photo booth shot. This time, we were nearing our 2nd wedding anniversary and I was 4 months along with Lucas. Also note how young, and in love we look (more tan too!). July 2007 came around the corner and we found ourselves yet again at the OC Fair. This time with our 7 month old son Lucas along for the ride. I also happen to be 2 months pregnant with Olivia (who knew!!) Still looking young, in love (with a new little guy - notice we aren't kissing eachother) and not as tan (who has time to go tanning anyway?!). Fast forward to this past Wednesday and you have The Vossler's attending the OC Fair, this time as a family of 4 (and Thank God, I am without child). Still looking young (no seriously, we look the same!), in love, and the whitest I've ever been :) W now consider this little trip to the fair a tradition in our household. Trei asked "What are we going to do when we have Vossler #3 and #4? We can't all fit in this booth!". I told him we didn't have to worry about that for a few more years.

Finding time....

I'm overdue. I know. I'll be posting tomorrow. I promise!!! Lot's and Lot's to catch you up on!!!

Achey Breaky Legs

I'm sorry about the craziness of the layout. I wrote to typepad about it, and hopefully it's resolved by tomorrow. So, my legs. They hurt. Over a week ago I began a 5k training regime called "Couch to 5k". Basically, it's an 8 week program that will get a "couch potato" running a 5k in 2 months. There are 3 sessions a week, and each week it gets harder and harder. First week you alternate jogging for 60 seconds and walking for 90 seconds. Second week (I just completed Day 2 of Week 2), you alternate jogging for 90 seconds and walking for 2 minutes. This has really been a push for me since I'm definitely not accustomed to exercising. However, I'm sproud of myself for pushing through. I found a used double jogger in great condition for $30! I've taken the kids out with me twice and the other 3 times were at night with Trei. By the time I get home, I'm covered in sweat, my heart is racing, and my legs are killing me. I can already tell that my endurance is building and I'm excited to reach my goal. My intention is to jog the Susan G, Koman Breast Cancer 5k in Newport Beach in September. Janea, my mom, and Diana have already committed to doing it with me.....wanna join? I definitely recommend giving it a try. I downloaded some podcasts that a guy created. It's great techno music and he interrupts whenever it is time to jog or walk. I'm loving this type of exercise, and hope I stick with it beyond my 8 weeks of training - making jogging (or running) my main source of exercise on a daily basis. Wish me luck! Okay, so how cute is this photo of the fam? Trei talked me into setting up the tri-pod and getting some photos of our family. We don't have ANY since Olivia's birth over 4 months ago and we were in need of one. I turned the chair towards the window, set my camera on self-timer and ran back and forth between photos. Even though the picture isn't "technically" correct, I love it anyway. What a beautiful family I have :)

So, I know that I should probably write a little bit about my experience with Aunt Linda - but I really feel it deserves a post all to itself and my time to really give it my full attention. Give me a few days and I'll have something up! It's a beautiful/humorous/sad story. But definitely worth the read, I promise. I didn't really want to say anything, but Miss Olivia has an audition for a print advertisement with H&M Baby in a few weeks. I know it sounds totally corny (and part of me feels slightly like I'm whoring my kids out), but I visited a children's talent agent last week. Here is the story: Back when we went to Disneyland for Lucas's first birthday (Nov 2007), a gal approached Lucas and I. She told me how darling Lucas was and told me I should contact the agent who represented her daughter. She told me that he would do really well. I took down the info, but didn't really give it a second thought. I was 7 months pregnant and had many other things on my mind. I ended up passing the information on to my girlfriend Jamie and she got Joaquin signed. She seemed fairly excited about things, so a few weeks ago I decided to send in Lucas and Olivia's information. I figured we had nothing to lose. If I didn't like it, we'd move on. But maybe I would enjoy this process and in the meantime, help set aside money for their college tuition. I knew they wouldn't be used for television or film (since multiples are cast for those type of roles), and how hectic could print be? I met with the owner of the talent agency and she was wonderful. She is SAG/AFTRA franchised and runs a nice operation. She will not be signing Lucas until after he turns 2. I didn't quite understand what she said, but something about him being big for his age. I guess after the age of 2, children can work longer hours? AlI  I know is that she asked me to get both kids work permits, but that only Olivia would be using hers for awhile. A few days later, I received a call that the people from H&M loved Olivia and wanted to meet her. So off to her first audition we go. I'm definitely keeping an open mind - but the moment this becomes time consuming, mentally/emotionally/physicaly taxing, or just plain not fun - we'll withdraw ourselves and move on. But if the shoots are low maintenance, and we are able to save some money for the kids...I don't see a problem with pursuing it. Wish us luck!

We Will Miss You....

Aunt Linda Rae Hubbard
6/21/62 until 7/6/08

*more to come later.

Letters to Olivia - Month Four

Olivia,

Your are 4 months today. I began my letters to your brother Lucas when he was 4 months old, so in favor of tradition, I'm starting yours at the same time. 122 days ago you came into this world, kicking and screaming. You wanted your presence known from the moment you had your first breath and you haven't stopped since. It was March 5th, 2008 at 8:03pm that I met you for the first time. In person. I had spent 9 amazing months carrying your sweet self in my tummy. I felt every kick, every tumble, ever hiccup and every jump. I knew you. So you can only imagine how anxious I was to finally meet you. Don't tell your brother, but my excitement level was higher during my pregnancy with you. I think it's because I knew of the most amazing gift I was going to be receiving. Another child. When we finally did meet, I cried. Your dad cried. It was a most beautiful moment.

Your first month home was definitely a lot of work. You weren't a lot of work, but having a newborn and a 15 month old was a lot of work. I had to learn to multi-task, and juggle your needs and your brothers. It was an adjustment. The hardest times were when I was home alone and had to nurse you. Your brother would get into everything he wasn't allowed to. I'd have to chase him around the house while you were attached to me nursing. Must have been quite the sight, I hope your neck didn't hurt too badly. However, some of my favorite times were when your brother was in bed and you and I had our alone time. I spent many hours holding you, kissing you, and telling you how much I love you. I have experience. I knew that you were only going to be a newborn for a few more weeks. If even that. I wanted to soak it all it.

"oh, it is love, from the first time I set my eyes upon yours"

I miss being pregnant and the first few moments of meeting the baby I spent 9 months growing. It's indescribable.

Me