Trip down memory lane...

When I was bored last night I began looking at old family pictures. My mom stores our pictures in a tuperware storage bin. I sat looking for atleast 2 hours. But, have you ever just done that? Sit and take in your infantcy... your childhood.. those horrible teen years. Then you look at yourself now and think where on earth did all that go. But I realized.. just how "crazy" and "beautiful" my life has been. I had to pull out a couple of pictures though that I just looked at them and just smiled.

First, I found pictures of my sister and I opening gifts. In the first picture, I look super intrested in this present as I'm trying to chew it open (I was probably 2 or so). The second picture, if you look its a toothbrush. That's where I had a smile hit me. Then the third picture, I am showcasing my toothbrush. The final picuture I'm clinging to this toothbrush. It is so funny to me, I guess my love for dental started then. Thanks Mom and Dad! haha.

I found a picture of Drew (for those of you who know who he is in my families lives) and myself asleep on a summer morning... just sleeping in. It is so cute. Then there is a picture of us playing his speak and say game. He was so tiny! It is unbelievable how big he is and how far he has come! He will be 15 this year. I can hardly phathom that.

I found pictures of my twirling days and my cheering days. It's funny to look back at those and think how active I was! And I know I will get a laugh or two for this... but I was SO TINY! Gosh Mom, you should of fed me the whole fridge. Haha!

One of my favorite things I came across though, was oddly enough was my Great Great possibly another Great Aunt Gertha Fraizer McMinn's obituary. She was an amazing woman who lived 105 almost 106 years. She had 10 kids!!! I was lucky enough to know her! But I learned some things about her from her obituary that I didn't know. She had only a 3rd grade level education because had to work her families farm. She was a window since 1934... she didn't die until 2001 and never remarried. She said once when she was 92 and caught jumping down her front porch steps... her son asked her why she did that "She said she didn't want to wear out her front steps." She walked 7 miles a day back and forth between home and where she went to pick cotton... no wonder why she lived so long... imagine being that healthy! She wore out 2 pacemakers and only visted the doctor three times in her long lived life. Imagine living through three different centuries. 1895-2001... wow.

Having this moment I guess... or two hours (haha) just really made me thankful. I encourage anyone to just sit down and look at pictures if you get the time. You'll find yourself in those moments again.

Update from the cruise crew: They are still having a blast! I haven't received an email but I did recieve a call from St. Martin today from my Mom... sadly I was sleepy and slept through the call. I'm kind of bummed :(.

Until next time...
Live. Laugh. Love

Melissa

Getting started

I've been wanting to start a blog for a long time not only because I've moved away from home and lost touch with a lot of people because of school but also to "jot my journey down" so to speak! So, here I am!

I recently just finished my first year of Dental Hygiene School at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences! I completed my Local Anesthesia course as well! We learned how to give injections on eachother! I was truly scared but in the end it turned out great! I have even given anesthesia to actual patients! It's such a neat experience! I can't believe my senior year of college is already here! But I am glad to say... I'VE MADE IT! I'm so blessed to have the support system I have. My family remains by my side through and through and pushes me to the finish line. I love them so much.

My Parents, Grandmother and Great Aunt and Aunt and Uncle are on a cruise right now to the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Martin! I'm so jealous! But I received an email saying they are having a WONDERFUL time. The only kink in their plans is that in St. Thomas there is a fire that has burned up a lot of a tour site they were hoping to see. But hopefully they'll get to see something really good! The trip is for my parents 25th wedding anniversary! What an accomplishment? Especially these days, Marriage isn't what it used to be.

I'm really excited about starting this blog. And I hope you too are excited to read it! I'll keep you updated throughout my summer with my news and thoughts! Until next time, see ya later!

Live. Laugh. Love.
Melissa