The XWN (Xanga Web Network)in association with
Myxl Dove Productionspresents
"The Beautiful Ones"Featured Xanga Blogger for July 10, 2009mellibella
Who Is mellibella?1) Current occupation: Assistant-Registrar by day (only so my kids can go to college free)... Photographer at heart, on the side & when my kids grow up. My photography site is here: http://m13photography.viewbook.com/2) Hometown: I'm in North Carolina. Smack dab in between the ocean and the mountains.3) Hobbies: Loving my God, my husband, & 2 beautiful children above all else. I love people, making new friends, talking!!! I enjoy reading, I LOVE LOVE LOVE photography, i thoroughly enjoy swimming and spending time in my back yard with my Bible. I love the beach and all things beachy, love my friends passionately and loyally...hanging out with them is the best, I love all things nature (God's Creation) and being right in the middle of it camping, hiking & photographing, lifts my soul and raises my arms in amazement to the creator. I like playing in photoshop and love shopping at thrift stores. I LOVE TO COOK! Any new recipe in the kitchen brings great joy & excitement to me (not always to my family, but to me), I also have a new found love of bowflexing, & I know this last one is going to make some eyes roll, but i love the twilight series *swoon* (and if you haven't read them, don't judge).
Why We Like HerI absolutely adore Melissa. We have become fast friends over the seemingly short time that we've known each other. But in that time she has proven herself to be the kind of person who offers a wealth of support, understanding and encouragement on a daily basis. I think part of the connection is that we understand one another. I've had the privilege of exchanging stories of the past with her, and I've found that we hold all of the same things in high regard... honesty, love, integrity, family, artistry, honor, commitment and a life's purpose of helping others and pleasing God. We've also experienced some of the same trials, so we relate on that level as well.
She is an amazing photographer and she peppers her posts with various pictures from her many adventure session
(read: LIFE). They are so very thoughtful, in the sense that you can almost imagine what has gone into making these entries as personal, relatable and enjoyable as they inevitably become. And I can't tell you how many times I've laughed at the humor that seems to come so easy to her. One of her posts which I think is my all time favorite
(so much so, that I shared it with my wife) is "
Re-Wedding Portraits". You REALLY need to read this one, and don't skip to the end.
I think what has really endeared her to me is the love she demonstrates. While dealing with a recent setback, I came in to work feeling pretty miserable. As soon as I logged on, Melissa popped up and proceeded to offer encouraging words of hope, and a timely prayer of faith and expectation. I managed to find my first smile in more than 24 hours. My spirit was renewed and I realized that regardless of how, when and why... there are people who come into your life for a reason. And I for one, am exceedingly glad that our paths have crossed. So please, go say hello to Melissa and check out her amazing photography while you're at it.

TBO © MMIX 1st Edition Iūlius Vol. XXXXVI
Comments (27)
I'll go and check her out. Thank you Riis, you're the best for doing these things.
Aww! I like when you do people I dont know, so that I can love them too!
Yep they're beutiful!
YEAH!!!!!! I love mellibella!
Seriously, she has been such a help to me while dealing with my dad's death and she is such an encouragement as a mom who has kids in different stages of life than my kids. I'm still in that "I wonder what she'll look like when she's 16" phase and it's great to see a mom who is enjoying her teens instead of griping about them.
She's a treasure. I'm totally recc-ing this. :)
~V
Yay!! I get to meet someone new!!!
i've seen her floating around.. she's a purty one...
I've come across her page a few times! She seems really nice, I'll have to check out her page more often!
Gosh this is about the nicest post I've read. I'm sure she's flattered. I'll go check her out.
@TheMarriedFreshman - AWWW thank you sweetness!
@Kontzicles - thank you!
Thank you Riis! You aren't so bad your self ya know?
@StandUp2Life - thank you!
@ItsWhatEyeKnow - I am super flattered! It teared me up....but don't tell Riis....he'll think I'm a pushover girl then.
@AnamcharaConcepts - Thanks, Danni. I appreciate that.
@mellibella - I'll take "not so bad" from you, anyday. lol And yes, I already know you're a pushover girl.
@mellibella - I
You!!!
Prob one of the best picks so far.
She sounds like a real sweety. I will definitely have to check out her site! I'm all for photography of nature! And how lucky of her to get to live right between mountains and the ocean. That must be a beautiful area. :D
I personally love her. I think it was actually though your Xanga that we found each other. I think on that 'Riis Day' post where you posted a picture of you in your underwear.
She is great anyway.
@happyworld_ofharibo - I was NOT in my underwear. Those were gym shorts!
@MyxlDove - oops, sorry, the picture of you in your 'gym shorts'
Melissa is a beauty,all around.
I checked out her photo sight,it is a must see! She does fantastic work!
<3 Melissa!
@Made2sing4Jesus - AWWWWWW thanks! @happyworld_ofharibo - LOLOL!!! @seedsower - thanks beth
HUGGGGGSSSSS all around you guys are making me puddle up for real!!!
@ItsWhatEyeKnow - Thanks for stopping by!
@MyxlDove - I look forward to reading your site.
I always dig a chick with photography skills. =) Definitely worth a look-see!
She's the BEST! :D