Drumroll please...

So remember when I said I was starting a project with some fabric I took a picture of? Well I took this...

And turned it into this...

I made crib bedding! First time ever, and I soooo would not have been able to do it without my insanely talented mother who came up with it all out of her head - no patterns! Piping around the bumpers and comforter, double box pleated dust ruffle, fitted sheets...my mother is an amazing coach. She told me what to do and I just sewed it. Ta da!

I did it for this little angel and her incredible family. (Sorry, but I stole these from your facebook, Carrian. Hope you don't mind! I'll delete them asap if you do...)

Oh They Say When You're Married in June, You're a Bride all Your Life...

Please tell me you caught the "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" reference in the title? Oh how I love that movie. Perhaps I'll get to watch it next week whilst I'm at Grandma B's in Canada next week. Oh yes, that's right...I'M GOING TO CANADA in 2 more sleeps. Now that my busy June is over I can focus on a fun family road trip to see more family and old friends and eat delicious Canadian treats. Mmmm! I'm finally getting excited. It sure did sneak up on me!

So, to back track a little bit...I had a super fantastic birthday! I spent the day in my birthday suit hiding in a spa with my bestie, Joni. It was wonderful!! I had a lovely massage by a little old lady and then we did the steam room, jacuzzi, cold dip, rain shower, ate a yummy lunch, chatted, chatted, relaxed, and chatted. It was seriously so great. We didn't even take any pictures because we were too busy enjoying the relaxing day. When I got home I was plumb tuckered out, so I had a nap, played with my nephews for a bit, then headed to Megan's parents' house for the UFC fights. It was a pretty good fight night and ended up being a perfectly low key birthday.

Don't you love her dress?? So vintage-y!


Next was my friend, Sarah's wedding. She was an absolutely beautiful bride and was literally beaming! It was so awesome to see her get married because she converted right before I was put in as RSP. She was my secretary for a little while, a great friend, camping buddy, hamburger craving pal, and more. She let me be her temple escort when she went through a few months ago, and I've just gotten to see her grow in the gospel. She's been such a great example to me. It was amazing to see her be sealed to her husband and it was truly a beautiful day (despite my horribly painful, and newly infected toe....but that's another story). And to make the weekend even better, Daniel was here!! AND...he let me take a good picture with him. Yay!! Only problem is that I need to wait for my friend to get back from Europe so I can get the pic from her.

Then, this past weekend was my cousin Aaron's wedding. He and his fiance were so cute together and happy and their wedding turned out so nice! It was up in Cedar City and I got to do the flowers for them too. It was so much fun!

Oh...was I supposed to take pictures of the bride and groom? My bad...I was having a good hair day, so It HAD to be documented, right??

Ok, here's one! Good thing my mom takes pictures of the important people!

ps...the pics for the two weddings I did this month have been updated on Sassy Stems too...

Honey, I'm Home!

So, I kind of have two boyfriends. They both know about each other and they’re both ok with each other. One is my friend Megan, and the other is of course Daniel. I have been spending a lot of time with my Megan boyfriend since my Daniel boyfriend moved away. They each fulfill different needs, and though I’m missing my Daniel boyfriend, I am fully appreciating my Megan boyfriend! She's a good friend and is continuing to teach me more stuff. Now it's just actual skills that she's teaching me, instead of just life lessons. Woo hoo!!

Lately I feel like I’m nesting without having anything to nest for. What the what?? Maybe I’m having sympathy symptoms for all of my cute pregnant friends right now. I’ve caught the domestic bug and I don’t know how or why or when, but I caught it! I’m all about projects, and sewing, and cooking, and painting, and learning all sorts of new things. I’m still working on that sewing project that I bought fabric for a couple of posts ago, which I shall reveal shortly. I’m making great progress on it this week! And I’ve volunteered for more sewing projects…because I have so much free time, right?! I plan on sanding and painting a frame I got from my friend Pam in Portland, and I’ve totally been cooking! Ok…so I’ve only cooked a few times, but that still counts! I made that “holy” tortellini a few weeks ago, and despite the little slip up it was still good. Daniel’s mom taught me how to make his favorite chicken rolls when I was up visiting in Colorado, Joni sent me her spaghetti carbonara recipe and I made it a couple Sundays ago. It was a hit! It makes great leftovers too. This past Sunday Megan taught me how to make bbq meatballs and they were sooooo good! Even Jonas liked them. I dare say I’m getting some recipes and skills to stick under my belt over here!

I still have a painting to finish from my last class, and more that I want to do. I'm making a fake flower arrangement for my friend's house, and I’m also dying to help someone decorate their house or a room or something! Please!!

Oh yeah...and I have 2 weddings coming up in the next 2 weekends. Creative bliss!

Sunday Solace

Have you ever had one of those Sundays where it feels like everything that is said is just for you? That was today for me. I haven't had one of those Sundays where I'm so moved by the spirit that I shed actual tears, but in Sacrament meeting today I lost it. It was a really special meeting and I just couldn't help myself. I felt like a proud mother watching one of my girls, who converted just before I was given my calling, spread her wings and take on the world. She's getting married this weekend and I have watched her grow from the infancy of her membership until now. It's amazing and inspiring to see her transformation and I was so overwhelmed with happiness for her. It made me thankful for my calling and that I get to watch these girls progress.

Then the lesson in Sunday School was about the sons of Eli, Eli, and Samuel. We were talking about how you can help someone you love who has gone wayward, and that all you can really do, and the best thing to do, is love them, pray for them, and set a great example for them. We talked about how it's the same as when we go through trials. The Lord is there to help us in love and after we've gone through the process, we don't feel bad about ourselves, we still love ourselves because we know of the unconditional love the Lord has for us, and that that's how he teaches, and reprimands us, and helps us grow.

And in Relief Society we had a lesson on scriptures and how they are so applicable to our lives, so personal, and so important. You could tell our teacher really does have a love for the scriptures and that the spirit was felt for the whole lesson. In choir we had double as many people attend, which is a miracle in itself, and then the arrangement that our choir director put together was unbelievable. It sounded great and we're really excited to sing it. She is truly talented.

On the way home I was listening to "His Hands". The words in that song are so powerful and it really just hit me and I teared up on the way home again. I know it sounds kind of emotional, but it was a really peaceful, inspiring Sunday.

It made me think about the people in my life that I care the most about and want so badly to help, because I know how much happier they'll be if they just take the steps that they need to to resolve any of their issues. I wish I could make them read their scriptures and pray every day, and to pray for the desire to change and the desire to have a soft heart and a change of heart. I want to share every scripture and every quote that has helped or inspired me to be better. I want to change their perspectives and help them see how easy it can all really be. I know these things are all things that they have to do on their own and for themselves. I want these things for them because I care about them and want them to be happy. This is a simple gospel, but it's not always an easy gospel. Sometimes we have to go through the hard parts to get to the easy parts...but it's sooo worth it.

I guess as my part, I just need to continue to be patient, continue to love, continue to live my life improving every day and being an example, and to continue to pray daily for them. This gospel is my life, and I just want everyone to have what I have! I know the Lord has a plan and that he doesn't lead us astray. He will help us, He will help others, and He will use us as his instruments.

I Thought the Rockies Would be a lot Rockier Than This...

I went to Colorado for the long weekend to hang out with Daniel and his family. It was absolutely beautiful there, we did a TON of stuff, and I didn't even take my camera out once! What is the matter with me?? I was having too much fun to stop and take pictures, I guess.

It was Daniel's birthday the Friday I flew in, so we went out to dinner and went bowling with some friends of his and I kicked butt! Was I supposed to let him win on his 30th birthday? Oops.
Saturday we watched his 4 year old Nephew play soccer in the morning and it was sooo entertaining. They were all so cute chasing that little ball around, and his nephew is an animal! After that we went for a little nature walk along a river, walked to Daniel's grandparents' house and visited with them for a bit, then went out to Heritage Square. I told him I wanted a "normal" picture of the 2 of us for my birthday, so he interpreted that as an Old Fashioned serious picture. So we dressed up and took one and it was fun. I'll take what I can get right? And doesn't he make a handsome cowboy?? We also rode the Alpine Slides while we were up there and they were so cool! I wish I would have gone on the fast side instead of wussing out and going on the "beginner" side. Oh well...next time. Then we had dinner with his parents and their friends, and THEN we went and watched the UFC fights at his buddy's house. Whew! Full day.
Sunday we lazed around and then went to church, went to his hockey buddy's dad's birthday party, ate dinner with his parents, then went out to Loveland to visit my best friend from high school, Robyn, and her husband. We had a blast hanging out with them! Robyn's little girl is the same age as Gibson and she was cracking us up. Such a little ham. They just moved into a beautiful new home and it was so great to see her. Monday we got buried in the sandbox by Daniel's nephew and niece, went furniture shopping for an ottoman for Daniel's bachelor pad in his parents' basement, and then bbq'd with the family. We rode ATV's and had tons of fun!

Seriously, it was sooo nice to get away from the city for a weekend and breathe a little. Daniel's family was great and they're so similar to my family, so I totally felt at home. It was just a really great weekend! Hopefully next time I go up, I'll bust out the camera a little more so you can actually see the pics and not have to listen to me ramble so much!

And In the Latest News...

May has been an eventful month for me, full of old memories, new adventures, and changed perspectives. Pretty much, since so much has been going on, this whole blog is going to be a list of the top news stories in my life with a smattering of pictures!

- May marks the 3 year anniversary of the passing of my college roomie Heather, and my Grandma Heggie. I miss them both a ton.

- Wyatt (Renee's dog) died on April 15th, which was also Gibson's birthday.
- I can't believe I've had my business for 2 years now. I did my first wedding in May, and in the past 2 years have done 24 weddings and 2 showers. So fun!! I'm working on getting a better website, and I really need a logo for Sassy Stems so that I can make a web button too.

- This little Monkey turned 1!

And yes, as you can see, that is a natural faux hawk that he sports.

- Daniel and I have been dating for over 2 months now. We went to PBR and then country dancing with some friends (he dressed himself) and it was a blast! He just moved back to Colorado this week, which is sad for me, but we'll do long distance and see what happens. I think I'll miss him stopping by my office occasionally and bringing me churros from Costco the most. He's trying to bribe me to move to Colorado.


- We went dirt biking with fam at the end of April and my dad broke ankle. He wasn't supposed to be riding in the first place bc he had just torn his rotator cuff again, but he wanted to take his bike out real quick, found a little cliff he didn't know was there, and ended up with a couple fractures.

Jonas wanted to put on all the gear to ride his bike and it was HILARIOUS watching that helmet bob around on him. I named him Bobble Head Joe

Dad's ankle at probably the worst stage of the bruising. Ouch!

-I finally got my time off approved to go up to Canada for the 1st of July celebrations and I'm sooo excited! We have a big Brandley family reunion planned, of course the big parade, rodeo, riding horses at my uncles, and spending a day in Waterton will be planned as well. I can't wait!

- I've been taking a watercolor painting class with my friend, Missy, and it's been so fun! I even hang my paintings on the fridge when I get home from class :)

- I got tickets for my Dad and I to go to the Supercross dirtbike races in the Pepsi Suite and it was amazing! I won best daughter for that one.
- I have finally figured out something that's working for me to run to lately. Are you ready? Debussey. Who knew?! I find it so relaxing, and it doesn't stress me out about thinking how far I've gone or my breathing or my steps. It actually keeps me in a rhythm and lets my mind wind down and just think. Ahhhhh!
- Here's a sneak peak at my latest project (besides the 2 weddings that I have coming up in June). I'm so excited to get started and I don't want to hear anyone tell me I'm crazy because I don't have the time. I'll make time (while I'm making something else too)!! hehe


- I have a super busy and fun June ahead of me with a ward campout, my birthday, 2 weddings, going to Canada, and my friend Carrian possibly having her baby. I'm so excited!!
- I'm venturing to Colorado for the Memorial Day weekend because it's Daniel's birthday and I want to see Robyn and Aaron's new place. I've never been past the Denver airport, so I'm excited to get up there and meet the rest of his family, breathe some fresh air, and maybe get lost in the woods a little bit.
- My friend, Megan Paris, and I went to St George a couple weekends ago to see my friend, David, compete in a triathlon. I actually made it to the whole thing this time, instead of like 15 mins after he finished when he did his first one last year. Oops. He's forgiven me now.

Dramatic photo finish of the end, and yes, the bottom picture is AFTER the race. He doesn't even look tired does he?? I mean, why would he be after swimming 1.5 miles, cycling 33k, and running 10k. Who gets tired after all that? Wuss's.

-Ok, so...funny story. I wanted to cook for Daniel before he left (partially because I owed him and partially because I really just haven't yet), so we got stuff to make fried tortellini Saturday night and I cooked for him and my parents. We were halfway through eating our meal and I commented that I used more olive oil than I usually do, so I was sorry it was a little oilier than usual. My mom asked me if I used the new bottle, and I told her I just used the one that was open. My dad then asked, "Uhhh...was there writing on that bottle?" I don't know! So I went and got the bottle. Sure enough, there was a date written on it...which means it had been consecrated. Oops. Innocent mistake, yes, but I felt so bad I couldn't finish my dinner. In my defense - Who keeps that in the kitchen cupboard with the rest of the oils??


And as a finale to this uber long post - Melissa uncut (recent random thoughts):

- God doesn't give you anything that you can't handle, BUT you have to be doing your part in order to receive that strength. Sometimes I forget that. Little Things are Important!!
- denial - it's a beautiful thing
- the older I get, the more I swear my unmarried guy friends are all gay
- the longer I'm in Las Vegas the more comfortable I get here and the more it feels like home. I have friends I've grown up with and have known for 15 years - longer than in Canada. Sometimes I feel like it may be time to let go of my "roots"
- Jonas thinks my paintings are "beautiful"
- I sure am listening to Air Supply whilst blogging!
- I have a million projects I want to do and a million books to read and a million beach trips to take this summer!
- I like trashy tv shows - there, I said it. And Summer is chalked full of them!
- I really want a macbook after I pay off my last credit card this month
- It totally wigs me out that girls I've grown up with or gone to college with have grown children...8, 6, 5 yrs old... AND that they have multiple children on top of that. My mom had 4 by her 28th birthday and that is just bananas to me! Jeepers mr!
- I was super anti blues/greens in nail color, but admittedly have 2 on my wish list lately...
- Am I the only one who thinks Tina Fey is hilarious?? Oh how I love you, 30 Rock!
- "flat shoes are for quitters"
- If you want something done, ask a busy person. Ohhhh...so that's why I keep doing more and more stuff.
- when Disney songs come on my Pandora Glee station I pretend it's embarrassing, but really, I'm excited and singing along...until someone comes up to my desk.
- Sometimes I think my life would make a really entertaining book
- Is burping really grosser than it's northern alternative?
- A first I was somewhat judgemental of this whole marathon, half marathon, triathlon obsession that has kind of caught trend lately, but now I'm like "Way to go America! Get off your butts!"
- Why do we let fear hold us back from so many things? What do we really have to lose?
- This new windshield repair paperwork at work is going to be the death of me.
- Why are there some people who insist on telling you their every move and all their business? Do they expect a pat on the back? A reward?? Symphathy? What is it? What if we really did overreact every time they announced something? Threw a party? haha!!
- My mom and I make a wicked good sewing design team. We should start a business together.
- I admit that I'm a little high maintenance. I wear high heels, I like to look nice, I get pedicures, and I like nice things. BUT I can still get dirty with the boys and I definitely don't spend hours in the bathroom primping.

Ryan Hess

"The person we are when we depart this life is the person we will be as we enter the next. Thankfully, we do have Today. . . . We really are immortal in the sense that Christ's Atonement conquers death, both physical and spiritual. And provided we have so lived Today that we have claim on the Atonement's cleansing grace, we will live forever with God. This life is not so much a time for getting and accumulating as it is a time for giving and becoming. Mortality is the battlefield upon which justice and mercy meet. But they need not meet as adversaries, for they are reconciled in the Atonement of Jesus Christ for all who wisely use Today."

Lance B. Wickman, "Today," Ensign, May 2008, 105

http://teamryanhess.blogspot.com