La Vita E Bella

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