Show Us Your Life Wedding Party, Flowers, and Ceremony

First I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU TO KELLY for hosting these events each Friday. You have so much dedication and love for your followers and friends that you have taken so much time to put this on each Friday. I personally love Fridays as it has allowed me to have one special place for so many memories in my life. I especially have loved the last two weeks as it has allowed me to step back and document my wedding to my AMAZING husband! So with that said thank you so much Kelly! Now onto sharing my wedding story with all of you. Chad and I got engaged on April 1st, 2006... yes April Fool's Day not sure why he choice that day, but he did. We had a short window of planning and finalizing all the details as our wedding date was September 26, 2006. I have always wanted a beach wedding and so that is what we planned. I would not change any thing about my wedding it was everything that I wanted. I had my best friend/sister Amie as my Matron of Honor and Chad had his best bud Brad Fisher as his best man. My family came for the special event and around 12 of our closet friends joined us in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We spent 7 days in Jamaica and it was wonderful! One tip I have for any future brides if you plan a destination wedding I highly recommend that you plan everything before you go it makes it less stressful when you get there. And this is what I did... we arrived and the same day I met with our wedding planner and we finalized a few details and it was complete until the day of the wedding. For the next few days I was able to relax and enjoy my future husband, my family, and our friends. Here are a few pictures of our wedding ceremony, wedding party, and the flowers. I hope you enjoy our photos as much as I do.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you enjoyed our destination wedding in Jamaica!

I Have Joined the 30s Club

Thank you Kelly for the special birthday message on your blog. You are a wonderful friend to me and I feel very blessed to spend time with you. Thank you to all my friends and followers for the wonderful birthday wishes. Every comment and blessing is greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed your words of encouragement as I enter my 30s as well as the supportive words through infertility. I will have to spend the next few days stopping by all the new people that have left comments and send you a special message. The day was not bad at all... I did not feel differently nor did I wake up this morning feeling sad or depressed. I actually slept really good last night.

I had a great day all in part of my friends how sent me many birthday wishes through facebook. I think my favorite birthday wish was from my friend Brad Fisher. Here is what he left, "Introducing Melissa 3.0! The new and improved version of Melissa 2.x. Have a great milestone day! Best days are yet to come... or they keep telling me :)" It was so Brad to say something like this to me. At least it made me smile and laugh! Thanks Brad! Here is a brief recap on how I spent my day. I worked until 3PM as I had a meeting at the Walmart Home Office. After my meeting I went to my hair appointment and I got a few highlights and bangs. I than joined my husband at PF Changs for dinner which was so good! We than came home and I opened a few presents and we had a chocolate cake from Rick's Bakery. Chad always goes over the top on special days and I already got a new MacBook Air a few weeks ago, but he did get me some jewelry from Perfect Choice and JCrew. The jewelry from JCrew I have to take back as it was broken when I took it out of the package. Oh well it happens. Lastly my friend Alex stopped by to give me a birthday gift as she is going out of town and will not be able to attend my birthday party on Saturday. I love the store Perfect Choice and she knows that so she got me a gift card. Yeah! I just might have to stop by there over the next days and get some accessories. So all and all my 30th birthday was GREAT! I look forward to enjoying my birthday celebration on Saturday and again when we are in Montana next week. I am going to enjoy my years in the 30s club. Happy Thursday My Friends!

I almost forgot here are a few photos of Chad and I with my new hair! Let me know your thoughts.

Happy Birthday Amie (and Me)

Happy Birthday to my Twin Sister Amie. Today is the day we turn 30! I can't believe that we are thirty. It seems like we were just kids, teenagers, young adults, and now we are mature adults. Yikes! All is good when you get to spend this special day with an AMAZING sister and my best friend. I don't think that I could have gotten through this last year without you. It is amazing that you can know how I am feeling without me saying a word and you can be so comforting and supportive in many ways. I feel very blessed to have you in my life. Sisters are great and I have one of the best sister in the world and we get to share this day together. I wish for you happiness, strength, courage, love, faith, and hope for your thirties. May your thirties be the best years of your life!
Happy 30th Birthday Amie!

With lots of Love, Melissa, Chad, and Bella!

In case you are wondering blogger friends most of these pictures are of Amie! The one with all four girls is in order starting with Amie, Melissa, Meahgen, and Jessyca.

I am getting my hair done today and I am going to get bangs. I will take pictures and let you know what I think tomorrow. Happy Birthday to Amie and Me!

Stop by Amie's blog and wish her a happy birthday too! Here boys left me the cutest message today!

Tough Days and Twitter

Do you ever have days that are tough and you want to stay in bed and cry. While this is one of those days. Part of the reason is that I am sad today is the last day of being in my twenties and another reason is I am approaching my thirties and Chad and I promised each other that we would be pregnant before I turned 30. And tomorrow is the day and I am not pregnant. I hate living in these shoes I don't want to live in a world of infertility I want to live in the world where I am a mommy. This gift of being a mommy doesn't cost anything it is priceless. I want to be able to do all the things that mommies do with their kids. I want to experience all the things that mommies experience. I want some one to call me mommy. This is all that I want it is a simple gift, but I don't understand why I can't have it. Don't I deserve it? What have I done to not have this dream? What do I need to do differently? Who do I need to talk too? More importantly how do I remain strong enough to continue down this road of having a baby and say yes lets keep trying? How can I be happy? How do I deal with all the friends and family members that have babies or children and just smile and be okay. Because quite honestly I want to run FAST and HIDE away from all the pain I have in my heart. So now that I have cried through this entire post I am going to go and find strength to get some work done. If any followers have any great wisdom or supportive words that they would like to share with me please send them my way.

Before I leave I want to let every one know that I am now on Twitter. So if you would like to follow me you can at MelissaStories. Happy Tuesday My Friends!

Happy Monday - New Hair for the 30s?

I received the following pictures from Mary and I just love them so I thought that I would share them with you.

In addition I have a question for all my followers I am going to get my hair highlighted this week and I am thinking of cutting some bangs. What do you think? Here is a few pictures that I was thinking of doing and I thought that I would get your opinion before I do so. So be honest and let me know your thoughts. I thought a new hair style for the 30s?

Nature - Peace - Friends - American Idol

This weekend Chad and I went to the Ramsey's home to spend some quality FUN time with them. We arrived in Bee Branch Arkansas around 8:30PM on Thursday night and we had dessert and played a few card games. Than it was off to bed for our next few busy fun filled days. On Friday we started the day with a late breakfast than we headed out to Petit Jean Mountain. On the way to there you would never believe what we saw... a ZEBRA in the middle of the road. I tried to quickly take a picture but I was only able to get the tail end of the ZEBRA. How crazy a Zebra in the country side of Arkansas.

It was a warm summer day in Arkansas and the hike was a bit misty, but the view was beautiful!

That evening Mary made a wonderful home cooked meal and we all played cards for the remaining of the evening. Mary and Chad enjoyed playing cards on Friday and Saturday night/morning until 3AM. Crazy... but they both are very competitive(in a fun way) and loved playing best out of three in Phase 10. The main reason we went to Bee Branch was to join Mary and Greg in Little Rock for the American Idol Summer Tour 2009. Yes we went to the AI Concert. It was amazing and beyond my expectations. If you are thinking of going you won't be disappointed. I took some great photos and a few videos (not the best quality) but worth looking at if you want a little taste of the concert. Adam was amazing and a true performer. Kris should feel very proud of himself and he performed well for his home town.

A BIG Thanks to Mary and Greg for the tickets and the WONDERFUL MEMORIES!

It was a great visit with the Ramsey's and I am never disappointed when we go to their house as they take such great care of us. I did get a special birthday present from Mary, it means so much to me that she thought of me and got me a very special gift that I need more than anything.

These bracelets are beautiful and when I read the saying on one of them it made me cry. Here is what it says May your days all be blessed with the presence of an angel watching over you. I have had a few tough weeks as I was 11 days late from starting my monthly cycle and I thought that I might be pregnant so over the past 11 days I have some great highs and some great lows and Friday was one of those great lows when AF finally decided to make her appearance. I have never been late and I just knew that this was my turn I was finally going to be pregnant. While that was not the case. I am not pregnant once again! I was extremely happy that I was in the presence of Mary as she just knows how to lift my spirits and the gift was so simple, but very special. I am still sad and unhappy that I am not pregnant and AF is here, but I just have to continue to get through each day and know that my day will come soon. It is hard as I approach my 30th Birthday in a few days and my biggest dream has not come true. I sit here wondering how am I going to get through that day? On that day it could be a great day or it could be tough... I wish I knew how the day will go. Thank every one for your continued love and support through my journey to become a Mommy.

On a happy note Bella had a fun weekend with her sitter the Dabocco Family and this is where she was most of the afternoon... she was so tired. They left us a sweet note that said, Bella learned to ring a bell at their house on the front door to go outside. How cute!

Finally question to all bloggers I am trying to upload a video from the concert and it is taking forever. Any ideas out there?

My Perfect Wedding Dress - Show Us Your Life

So Us Your Life - My Perfect Wedding Dress for a Beach Wedding in Jamaica!

Event Kelly's Korner don't forget to stop by her site and few all the amazing dresses...

Since I live in Arkansas and I couldn't have my Sisters and Mom go wedding dress shopping I was able to have the next best thing! Mary Ramsey our Arkansas Mom! We went to Little Rock on my birthday to find the perfect match! I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was excited because I love shopping and I was looking forward to this day for a very long time. Mary and I went to the first Bridal Shop in downtown Little Rock (I can't remember the name at this very moment) and when we walked up to the window I saw a beautiful dress that I loved. However I did not try it on at first because I was not sure it was the right dress for a beach wedding. So I continued to try on several dresses and I had a few I liked, but none that I loved. Mary suggested that I try on the one in the window and I agreed and the moment I looked in the mirror I knew that this was the one! I loved it and it fit perfect! It was made for me and I felt so beautiful in it. The dress was not quite a beach dress, but it was my perfect dress and I had to have it! So after one bridal store and a few dresses later I had my perfect dress!

Melissa's Don't List

Melissa's List of Things I Do Not Do

1. I don't eat veggies

2. I don't eat fruit unless it is prepared for a party, some one makes it for me for breakfast, or if I am at friends are families homes. I know it is weird, but for some reason I think it tastes better.

3. I don't eat ground beef or steak

4. I don't eat pasta salads

5. I don't eat jello or yogurt

So by now you are all thinking she is a picky eater... well I am a very picky and I like the foods I like and don't eat the things that I do not like.

6. I love reality shows, but there are a few shows such as Survivor, America's Got Talent, and I am a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here that I do not watch!

7. I don't clean our house as I could never get it as clean as Chad would like so YES we have a cleaning lady.

8. I don't answer my house phone unless I know who is calling. I don't want to have to deal with telemarketers selling and having to say no to them.

9. I really don't like answering the door when sales man/women come to the door as I am not good with saying no. So if I am out of sight and they can't see me I don't answer the door.

10. I don't like coffee, I love the smell of coffee but the taste not so much!

11. I don't like driving, I secretly wish that some one could drive me around every where as I can spend my time either talking on the phone or on the Internet through my IPhone. Technology isn't it GREAT!

12. I don't give our dog Bella baths as it takes to much work and the vet can do a better job than I can do. Plus I do not cut her nails they do that too!

13. I don't like putting gasoline in my car... I hate the smell of the gas!

14. I don't like up-tight or snooty people

15. I don't like negative people and I wish that everyone could see that there are more things to worry about in life than being negative about your life and the people in your life. Being positive about life might just make those people happy. So if you are reading this and you are negative all the time take a break and try to be positive for a week and see how you feel in the end.

So now it is your turn. Let me know what you don't like as I think that it is a great way to get to know my friends and followers better. Have fun! Happy Wednesday My Friends!

Feeling Lucky in Friendship

I feel lucky to have the flexibility that I have in my job it allows me to have wonderful lunch dates during the work week. Yeah! Today I was able to meet up with Ashley and Kelly for lunch at Mimi's Cafe. I love there grilled cheese and fruit... that is exactly what I had for lunch. I also feel luck for the friendships that I have established with Ashley and Kelly. They both had their baby girls with them and I was so jealous, I wish that I was seating with my baby girl or boy having lunch with them, but I love seeing them and hearing their many mommy stories. Some day soon I can share my stories with them and they can give me wonderful advice and support. They both already give me wonderful support by caring for me, taking the time to listen to me when I am sad, and giving me guideness in my journey through infertility. Thank you Ashley and Kelly for your friendship! Here are a few pictures from our time together!

Enjoy and have a Happy Tuesday Evening!

My Favorite Recipe

Today I am participating in the Blog Hop Favorite Recipes. I think this is a great idea as we can all get new dishes to make for our families. Yeah! One of my new favorite recipes to make for my husband is Jalapeno Chicken. My sister Amie made this for us when we went to her home in May and we have made it for several of our friends and they love it! I hope you give it a try and come back and tell me how much you enjoyed the chicken.

Ingredients

6 skinless boneless chicken breasts halves - pounded to 1/4 inch thickness

1 (16 ounce) bottle Italian dressing

3 fresh jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

6 slices bacon

Directions

1. Place chicken breasts in a dish with the Italian dressing. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours

2. Preheat the grill for high heat

3. I take all the seeds out of the jalapenos! Stuff each jalapeno half with cream cheese. Roll chicken breasts around jalapeno peppers. Wrap each chicken breast with a slice of bacon. Secure with toothpicks.

4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Arrange wrapped chicken breasts on the prepared grill. Cook for 20 minutes, turning frequently, or until bacon is browned and the chicken juices run clear.

I have made Broccoli Salad or Wilted Lettuce as a side dish. They go very well with this main course. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Sweet Marley Willow

My sister Jessyca delivered a beautiful bundle of joy on Sunday July 19th, 2009... please welcome Marley Willow to the Jacobson Family. She is beautiful and I can't wait to see her in two weeks. For now I will continue to ask for more pictures and stare at her all day!

Happy Monday My Friends and Family!

Much Needed Girls Night Out

I was in need of a girls night out! Thanks to Ashley for getting all the girls together for dinner and drinks at Bonefish and girl talk at ALoft. What a blast we all had. The best times were laughing until my belly hurt and the amazing food at Bonefish. I enjoy going to Bonefish and having their Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos they are YUMMY! I enjoy the atmosphere in this restaurant, as well as the small nature of the space. Great memories where had by all, as well as new friendships. Thanks to Ashley, Allisha, Laura, Kim, Crista, Lindsay, and Tiffany for the wonderful girls night out! I look forward to many more Girl Nights!

My Birthday Ideas

Today is July 15th and in 14 days it will be my 30th Birthday.  Yes I am turning 30 and I think I am okay with it, but we will see what happens on the days leading up to it and the days following. This post is for my family and friends to have some ideas of what I would like for my birthday.  I know it is difficult to buy me gifts as I don't really need anything, but I have a few ideas.  My top gift would to be pregnant before my 30th birthday, but we all know that is not going to happen and I have to deal with it.  My second gift would to be with my twin sister on our birthday, but I know that won't happen as I am seeing her on August 3rd-9th in Montana.  So those top gifts are something I just have to Wait for!  Now for some fun ideas for all of you that would like to purchase a gift for my 30th birthday.  

Uppercase Living provides great vinyl signs for your home and below are two images that I would like for my house.  The first one I would like to put above our bed.  I want it in a sky blue color and 36" X 16.5" is the size I would like.  As for the second vinyl sign I want to put this in our guest room in a chocolate brown and 18" X 18" is the size I would like.  

  

One of my new favorite stores to shop at is Francesca's Collections!  I just love all the items they receive each week.  So gift cards to this store would be great too! 

A few other stores I enjoy shopping at are Perfect Choice, Masons, Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, JCrew, and the Gap. 

Finally I have come to really enjoy Etsy.  If you have not stopped by this site you should.  Here are a few items that I love while browsing the site.  

Melanie Collection lined in Victorian rose silk by FIAZCO

Gold Aspen Leaf Necklace by LexLuxe

Genuine Aspen leaf Dipped in 24K Gold, Harbinger Lariat, Botanical Gold Collection by briguysgirls

All because two people fell in love.  Vinyl Letter saying on a square magnetic picture board by mytreehousetreasures

Quick Release Camera Stray - Sangria by PhatStraps 

I almost forgot since I NOW have a Mac I would really like to get a Incase 13 - inch Hardshell Case for my MacBook Air.   

So I hope this helps everyone!  The best gift will be for everyone I know to wish me a Happy Birthday remember those gifts are PRICELESS.