happy birthday mary.

Today is my sister's birthday. She is now 27-years-old.

Here is a picture of her when she was just born. My grandma is holding me and her husband, my grandpa, is in the background. I think the picture is adorable.

Needless to say, Happy Birthday Mary.

Love, Melissa.

summer party.

Last night was Randy and I's 8th Annual Summer Celebration (go here to check out last year's celebration and go here to check out the year before that).

We had a fantabulous time and I think all the party attendees had a wonderful time too. I stayed up until 11:30pm (which is late for me - I usually go to bed around 9pm).

Anywho, not much else to "say" about the party, but here are the pictures (WARNING: There are a TON of pictures.)

our home.

Hayden.Randy and Hayden.Hayden and me.Jack Nix.

Hayden, Jack, and Dave.the food spread.

Linda (my husband's aunt), Connie (my aunt), and Sheree (my MIL). Jeff and Courtney.
Sarah and Todd & Sage and Naomi.

Hayden.

Carolyn and Ella (who is pretending to be asleep).

Parker Wetsell.

my mom, Linda, Sheree, and my dad.

Ella and Carolyn.

Aixa and Will.

Leslie and Jack.

Randy and Hayden.

me and Randy.

Don, Mervin, Randy, and Dave.Naomi and Sage.

Carolyn, Sarah, and Brandy.

my parents.

Mark and Connie.

the plaid brigade (Jason - Randy's brother, Dave, and Randy)

Megan and Jason.

Leslie and Don (who looks freaking crazy in this picture).

Jamie, Courtney, and me.

Jamie and Ryan.

feel good friday.

It's Friday and time for The Girl Next Door Grows Up's meme - Feel Good Friday.Today I have opted to write about something that others did for me this week that made me happy - and feel good great.

Do you know who those "others" might be?

Any guesses?

Alright, I'll end the suspense. The "others" are YOU - my awesome blog readers and followers who commented on my post this past Tuesday in which I sought reassurance for my blog guilt.

You all were so incredibly supportive. It made me ridiculously happy. I know it shouldn't matter what others think and I shouldn't care (I think Ian thinks it's rather silly that I seek the reassurance of my readers/followers), but I do. I have major issues with disappointment and disappointing others so knowing that you are okay with whatever I do and that you will be there for me no matter what feels good. Really good.

So thank you. All of your kind words meant a lot to me.

I will definitely continue blogging, but at my own pace - posting when I feel like it and have the time. That might be every day, that might be once a week, I don't really know.

And I will, of course, continue to check and read your lovely blogs. They all rock.

Thanks again for your support. I honestly couldn't have been more pleased with your comments - they were definitely reassuring (and that is just what I needed).

My thanks again to 'The Girl' and her meme. 'Feel Good Friday' is a great way to end the week!

a new school year begins.

Today was Hayden's first day of school in his new class: the "older" MWF 3-year-old class at 'First School'. He did much better than last year and the year before that.

I had gift-wrapped his new lunchbox I purchased for him back in February and he opened the "present" last night. He was delighted and really excited about it - score '1' for mommy!

Hayden didn't cry at all during the drop-off - he didn't even seem nervous. He was excited about playing with the new toys.

We dropped him off and easily exited. No problem.

Here are some pictures we took at home before we left:
Here are some pictures on the way to school.
I picked him up at noon and his teachers said "he had a great day." Yay.

blog guilt - seeking reassurance.

I have this odd sense of responsibility to post every day. Which I don't think I should feel - but I do. I am seeking reassurance that it's okay to only post a few times or week, or only when I feel like it, or only when I have time. Maybe that is every day, but maybe it's not. That's okay, right? Will you still read my blog? Will you be disappointed? Should I care? (I probably shouldn't care, but I sortove do - I really don't want to disappoint. I put a lot of pressure on myself and the idea of letting people down is very unsettling.)

My assumption is that those of you who like "me" and my blog will continue reading regardless of how often I post (that is how I am with the blogs I read).

But I am curious... what are your thoughts? Will you still read my blog? Will you be disappointed?

jonesboro weekend.

Last weekend, we went to Jonesboro, Arkansas to spend some time with some members of Randy's family. We stayed with Randy's cousin, Heather, and her husband, Bryan - who are super cool, awesome people.

We had a great time. Check out the pictures for the proof.
Hayden flying with Bryan.
me and Hayden (I have some serious over-smile going on - but I think the picture is still cute).
Randy's brother, Jason, and his girlfriend, Megan, preparing dinner.
Randy's mom, his brother, and his aunt.
Heather and Bryan's dog - Cotton.
Hayden not wanting to have his picture taken. Check out the "awesome" deer heads in the background!
Heather and Bryan
me.
me and Randy.
Randy's cousin's son - Hudson.
Randy's other cousin's daughter - Maggie - with Randy's mom.
Randy and Hudson working on the tent.