Happy Birthday, Sweet Melissa

Today is Missy's 30th birthday, and that's a big deal.  I mean, 30 is always important.  And Missy being 30 carries a bigger joy with it than your average 30th birthday.
 
I try not to focus on her cancer, to talk about it much on here, because Missy is so much bigger than her cancer. And cancer sucks, so I don't often tell you how it hurts my heart every single day, because I feel like it is obvious.  I don't often talk about how incredibly thankful I am that her treatments are working. That there is no new growth and how very very grateful we are for that miracle. 
About how lucky we feel to be here, celebrating her 30th birthday, when two years ago her life turned inside out.  But of all days to talk about it, to open up and say we are so thankful for our Sweet Melissa, today seems like the day.

I love her more than I could ever say, and I am so very thankful for the medicines that have allowed her to be here with us, celebrating her BIG birthday in a big big way.


Happy birthday little sister.  I love you so.


Our family had Missy a big birthday bash this weekend to celebrate this very important birthday.  Here are some pictures from the party.  It was perfect in every way.  I don't know if I have ever seen Missy happier, and today, on Missy's day, that brings tears to my eyes. Because it was a perfect night.

Here are a few ( a lot) of pictures from the party.


Her giant 30 picture collage was a big hit
 
Missy with three of her best friends

A bunch of long time friends who stayed to close the party down dancing with the birthday girl

Cake, pictures, decorations (the cards with her pictures on the mantle had information on Missy and facts about what was popular that year on the back. They came out so cute!)
 
Family
 
Me, Charing and Candice all three wearing the exact same dresses we wore to Charing's last big birthday 5 years ago. When you find a good dress, hold on to it!
 
Center pieces that we made. The cassette tapes had candles inside. The hats and gloves were dancing accesories for the Michael Jackson/ late 90's hip hop dance theme! The music at this party made me so happy.
 
Boo and Mandy

Becky and David

The Kelsey's looking adorable
 
Me and Nicholas
 
Whitney and Mike

Sweet Missy with Lauren, another one of her BFF's

Rhi and Chris (and sweet baby on the way!).

Our adorable Mama with her sister, Aunt Josie

 Liz and Arielle
 
Nick with his own BFF's (Not that boys usually refer to their guy friends as BFF's, but still...)
 
Action shot of hanging out and eating early on in the party

Another action shot of later in the night. Turns out dance party pictures are really hard to take, but I think you get the idea. It was awesome.

Actually, that pretty much sums up the party.  Hard to capture in pictures, but absolutely awesome. A perfect party for our sweet Melissa. 

Happy Birthday, little. I sure do love you.  xoxo