We are...

OFFICIAL!

That's right, folks... yesterday, the University Systems of Maryland aligned and Bobby and I BOTH got our diplomas yesterday in the mail!

Have you ever seen what a $50,000 piece of paper looks like? Well, here yah go, and let me just tell you what a relief it is to have these pieces of paper hanging up on our walls...


Thank you for all your support and encouragement as Bobby and I both worked towards our respective degrees! And for clarification's sake, here's what we're now "smart" in:

Bobby: Masters of Science in Reliability Engineering
Me: Bachelors of Science in Marketing

Now, go forth and spread the knowledge, or whatever those professors instilled in us...

A Party for Baby

Oh my, there are lots of babies around us this year, aren't there? Well, it's completely wonderful because I love babies. What? You didn't know that? Hum...you must be new to my blog, you should catch up.

Anyway, this weekend, a few of us threw a "surprise" baby shower for my good friend, Candice! She is expecting Baby #1 at the end of April and looks phenomenal (take a look at her beautiful pictures here). The day was filled with lots of good food (if I do say so myself - this was the largest party I've ever cooked for!) and close family who all love Candice dearly.

I say "surprise" as it is used it the loosest of terms... Candice is a smart girl, but I suppose we were not as discreet as we could have been. We have been planning this thing since November, after all.







Candice made out with some much-needed supplies for her first born, which is always important!

After spending a day with people I had only just met, it is clear to me how much her family loves others. I shortly felt like one of the family even though we had people from all over come to join us in celebration: Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania...














Since Candice's birthday is TOMORROW (happy birthday, my dear!), her Mimi gave a beautiful toast to acknowledge and celebrate her birthday. It is so special, the bond between Mimi and her two Grand Daughters (Candice and her sister, Krisiti).

I got to sit next to Mimi during the games and we both "helped each other out" with some of the answers. I like Mimi, she won like half of the games!

After some games and chit-chatting, we moved on to dessert and some more chatting.









I think we possibly made the record for the longest baby shower, but it was SO fun and afterward, I felt like a member of their family! They even invited me out to dinner at a new restaurant I've never tried down here!

Candice and her sister are quite a pair! Only about 18 months apart, they are very close, despite their geographical distance. Kristi planned some awesome games for the shower! One of which made me never want to feed my future children baby food... (just kidding, Kristi, but not really!!).













Here is Candice with her Mom and sister... what beautiful ladies! Candice's mom is SO excited to be a Grandmother. She could barely contain herself with excitement when I saw her just a few hours before the shower!!! It was so cute.

Congratulations, Candice! We ALL cannot wait to meet little "Shai" (pronounced "Shy")!!!

Hello Baby!

Guess what? There's the world's cutest baby on Melissa Barrick Photography blog. Right. Now. Go and see!

You don't really feel like making the "click" over there? Well, to get you motivated, here's a little teaser to get you movin' in the right direction. See? I just knew you couldn't resist...


Plus: stay tuned for baby shower extravaganza pictures later this weekend! Something must be in the water... there are babies everywhere!

Happy Weekend, Everyone!

Photos, Comments & More, Oh My!

A few announcements to make:

The Barrick Times and Melissa Barrick Photography are now accepting anonymous comments!!! You Closet-Readers are now able to leave a line on either one of my blogs without having to sign in or create a Google account (although I'm sure Google would be happy if you signed up for one). So, comment away because I love hearing your thoughts, emotions, gripes, beef, encouragements, and whine's!

Secondly, you may have noticed that I've increased the size of the pictures I post! This is primarily for your viewing pleasure, especially over on Melissa Barrick Photography blog, where it is now my biz-nas to show you some good pictures.

Lastly... check out M.B. Photography blog for some sweet new pics featuring my friend, Candice and her man, Andy. They're getting ready to have a baby!!! But for now, she's still Preg-O.


That's all for now!! My goodness, is it almost Wednesday?!
Oh, and Mr. Weatherman? Can you please bring me back our 70 degrees that we had last week? Thanks! Your Friend, M-Dub.

V-Day

I want to thank 3 men in particular for making our Valentine's Day a success:

Panera
Dunkin'
and Apple.

Couldn't have done a breakfast-in-bed at 7:30 a.m. without you guys (7:30 a.m. on a Saturday?! Seriously?)


And because I took care of breakfast, my 2 other favorite boys took care of dinner while I sat on the couch stuffing my face with cheese and champagne. I'm a lucky gal!


Hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day!

Birthday Week

If you remember from last year, the week of February 11-13 is the week of 4 birthdays! We're going to start oldest to youngest here, so hang on...

First (sorry Dad) is the oldest, My Dad! The man, now in his "swingin' 60's," has had both hips replaced, gone through five weddings, five college tuitions, 7 grandchildren, and has spent 40-some-odd years at the same company. Wow. Dedication is this man's middle name and if you were to ever meet him, you'd think the man was in his 20's by how much energy he has. His favorites? Long walks, socks with sandals, grapefruit, and substantial Starbucks coffee mugs. Happy Birthday, Dad, from your youngest couple down in So. Cal. (Maryland, for all you new readers).


Moving on, we have my beautiful niece, Ellie. What a beautiful girl, she is too. The little tot turned 4 years old yesterday and is such a BIG girl. The lucky girl gets to enjoy Southern life as she frequently visits Aunt Valley's goats, a fun and hip Raleigh pre-school, and a dreamy cotton-candy pink bedroom complete with bunk beds. Her favorites? Croissants filled with chocolate chips, American Girl Dolls, Aunt "Buhlissa's" hip (although she's quickly outgrowing it), french braids, and helping Mommy around the house. Happy Birthday, Elle-Belle. We love you!


Next we have the handsome Benjamin who turned a BIG 1 year old on the 11th!! I cannot believe it's been a year since this ham was born, but he is such a delight and growing like a weed! The boy melts every girl's heart when she looks into his deep blue eyes... and the teeth?! Oh, heaven help me. I just love baby gums. This boy has just picked up walking/running and is now unstoppable. Look out, world! His favorites? Clear, plastic balls, Steeler's garb (poor sucker - jk N&A!), Mickey Mouse and Cheereos. Happy Big One, Ben!!


Last, but certainly not least... the beautiful Bethany Rose! This girl is a whopping two days younger than Ben and it's been a total blast to watch these two grow up together! Although we don't get to see Beth nearly as much as we'd like to, we hear lots of good stories and see so many changes each time we see her! The girl has some killer blue eyes, which will cause unexpected melting of swooning boys everywhere (when she's older, of course). For now, she just melts the hearts of the loving family that surrounds her (like Big sister's Katie and Kelsey). Happy Big 1, Bethany!!

A Picture Story

Dear Readers,
You may not know me, or my husband, but I'm glad you're here, because you know what? You made it just in time for a story! For those of you who "read" books or magazines but really just like to look at the pictures and make up your own story... well, this blog is for you. This is actually not a story, but more of a conversation in pictures.
Feeling a bit lost? Not to worry... just read along about our fun little hiking adventure and you'll be just fine. Just be glad that you were not the one who almost required a hip surgery or a pedicure afterward.

Thank you for coming back and putting numbers on my counter. It gives my life meaning.
Peace, Love, and Hip Replacements (just kidding, Dad),
The Barricks (but really it's just Melissa)

Chapter 1: About 1:00-1:17 p.m.
Me: Hey honey, it's a nice day out, we should go do something outside!
Bobby: You hate being outside.
Me: Well, that's only when I have to take the trash out. Let's go for a hike around the lake!
Bobby: {Turning his head inquisitively as if to be in utter shock} The Lake? Ok fine.

{Meanwhile, Bobby digs out his heavy-duty camping boots and his giant backpack. He starts loading it with some weights to make the hike even more work for himself. All the while, I float around from room to room, putting on my pearls and "pink diamonds" lip gloss, making sure that my outfit is coordinated}

Arrive at the Lake:
Me: Here honey, take my picture by the lake, it's so pretty! It doesn't even seem that big, this will take us no time!
Bobby: {Grumbling as he switches my camera from manual to automatic.} You better not stop every five minutes to take pictures or we're never going to finish this hike... {He snaps the picture}

...and we're off!

Chapter 2: About 1.5 miles into the hike
Me: {Chatting up a storm, trying to ask him about his old camping days. Also making a mental note NOT to complain. About anything.} How long is this hike?
Bobby: Seven miles.
Me: Oh ok, I thought it was way more than that... this shouldn't be bad! {Translation in my head: Why the HECK did I volunteer this afternoon activity!?} Hey B, Look at the snake I just found!!!!
{SNAP! I took his picture. And he was so happy with me at this point.}

Chapter 3: About 3.5 miles into the hike (half way)
Me: {Yelling} Bobbyyyy.... slow down and wait for your wiiiifffeeee!

Chapter 4: About 4 miles in
Bobby: Stop. I want to see how fast we're walking {reaching for his iphone which has a distance tracker for nerds}
Me: Too fast, if you ask me...

Chapter 5: About 4.5 miles in
Me: Let's stop and enjoy the scenery..
Bobby: {Eye Roll}

Chapter 6: About 5 miles in
Me: Hey, are you supposed to look up in front of you when you're walking or down at the trail in front of you?
Bobby: Don't you want to enjoy the scenery?
Me: {mumbling} No, I just want to get off the worlds longest trail...
Bobby: I heard that. Here, take a break, I want to remember the last time my wife went hiking with me (this blog is full of flattering pictures).

Chapter 7: About 5.5 miles in
Me: Stop walking... I haven't taken enough pictures.
Bobby: You can take some when we get home.
Me: But my hips are going to fall off from walking so long. I need a break...

Chapter 8: 5.5 miles to about 6.75 miles
No Talking. We've reached the fire road at this point... Almost...there...

Chapter 9: Final stretch.
I can see the car. It's all I can do to make it across the parking lot without folding over in half. I crawl in, mud-encrusted shoes and all. We get home and I jump right into the bath tub. I've never taken a bath in our apartment, but my poor backside sat in there for about an hour.

My poor feet haven't recovered since. And that's the last time I ever suggest going on a 7 mile hike again.

The End.

TAG! You're it.

Thanks to my lovely sister-in-law, Jen for tagging me. Now, if I didn't drive you faithful readers away with THIS post, I'm sure I will have after this post. But I suppose I kind of have to play the game if I was tagged, right? Right. So here we go: 7 Highly Entertaining Things about Melissa (and some random pictures thrown in):

1. I've broken my collar bone three times. I want to thank THIS sister for being the main accomplice for two out of the three breaks. The first time, we were jumping on our parents' bed (yes, even after they told us not to), but how could we resist a king-sized bed?! I mean, Christina was able to show off her unreal gymnastic abilities with all of that extra space! When I wouldn't "move" when she asked so that she could do a double-back-flip, she gave me a big ol' push while I was mid-air. "One little monkey jumpin' on the bed..." The second time, I was eating a cookie, peacefully by myself, while I was laying on the back of the couch. My mother was "testing" marble samples behind the couch where I was laying. The same sister snuck up behind me and started tickling me. For no reason. And off I fell right onto the hard marble slabs. Did I mention I started choking on my cookie? Both of these times, I was under 7 years of age. The LAST time, I was participating in Spirit Week during my Freshman year of high school (2001, if anyone is curious). Being the cheerleader I was, volunteered to do the human pyramid. Once we were up and built, we all came tumbling down...on me. First curse word ever mumbled (sorry Mom). Oh, how I tried not to cry... to this day, my collar bone remains somewhat deformed.

2. I love to pick at my nails. It drives Bobby crazy. I could sit for hours picking at my cuticles on my toes and fingers...all in preparation for a home-manicure/pedicure. After I'm finished, I gently sweep the clippings into a little, neat pile and scoop them into my hand and throw them away. Accomplishment. And, no hangnails!

3. My favorite weekend nights are spent in our apartment. I don't consider myself a home-body, but there is nothing better than splitting a bottle of wine, renting a terrible movie, and snuggling up with Bobby. We call it getting "snowed in..." even in the middle of summer!

4. I hide cookies in healthy food containers so Bobby won't see them. He knows now... but the first time he caught me, he went to fix himself some Oatmeal. Much to his dismay, he found a { rather large } bag of Ginger Snaps. Why Ginger Snaps? I don't know. But now if I go Grocery Shopping alone, Bobby likes to inspect my buys to make sure I'm not hiding anything! The little Fun-Sucker.

5. Since I've started taking pictures, I look at EVERYTHING as if it was to be a picture. I imagine what could or couldn't be a good picture. I have also started to contemplate the basics of Composition in each of those photographs and rate them based on wether or not it has good composition or not. Then I make mental notes to remind me to carry my camera where ever I go. I think I need a bigger purse...or a less-dorky camera bag!

6. I LOVE, love, love my neices and nephews. I have 8 of them and they all just make me so happy. They are all so different and I love being their youngest Aunt. I want so badly to be the cool Aunt who takes them on rollercoasters and to the movies and stuff. Two of the Blondies sent me a Valentine the other day and it went right to the refrigerator! (Thanks Jen!)

7. The first time Bobby and I kissed, I was so nervous that I thanked him {rather impolitely, I might add}, slammed the car door in his face and ran inside my parents house. This only led me to find a mirror staring me in the face which reflected back a gigantic smudge of Barbeque Sauce left over from dinner earlier that evening! I think Bobby waited a few days after that one to call me...

So there you have it. If you're wondering, the pictures are completely un-related to my post. I've just been reaching back into the depths of my photo folders to see what I could dig up.

So now for the YOU'RE IT part, I tag the following people:

Candice
Diane (Like you don't have anything better to do!)
Lauren M
Jessica M (The one who hangs with the Germans)

Peace, Love and Barbeque Sauce,
M-Dub

P.S. Check out my Photo Blog for a recent update... feel like enjoying some Belly Laughs?!

43 Years

It all started in the University of Maryland dining hall. A beautiful, Raven-haired collegiate was lunching in the South Campus dining hall one afternoon with her flock of fellow beauties when a young, confident, fraternity boy from Jersey approached her. Politely, the young lady obliged and allowed the boy and his buddies to join them at the table. After an hour of polite small talk and light flirting, the young lady got up from her lunch, turned away and walked towards the door to leave. In her "hard to get" manner, she strutted out, feeling all too confident herself...only to slip on the cold, freshly-mopped, concrete floor of the dining hall. The slip put the fair and proper beauty right on her back. The smitten fraternity boy from Jersey ran to her side to make sure she was not hurt. They looked at each other and just knew. You could say he swept her off of her feet...

(My parents are the couple on the Left), along with my Dad's kid-sister and her husband:
(Again, the couple on the Left is my parents):
The rest was history, literally. Not five or so years later, the new couple became Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wise on a snowy February morning in 1966. Now, 43 years later, the couple (who still feels and acts like they are 22 years old) counts their blessings daily: five children, seven grandchildren, three states, (only) two houses, abundant extended family...and counting. They have been in the same house for 30-some-odd years. It was the house in which they raised their entire family. All five of us have the same memory of sitting at the top of the stairs on Christmas morning, climbing the big trees in our backyard, walking down the street to Benfield School, riding our bikes to early morning swim practice at St. Andrews Pool in the summer, playing ping-pong in the once-empty basement, etc.


The love they have for everyone around them is contagious. The sacrifices they've made for their family deserve an award. The example they've set in their marriage has proved to be an example to all of us. The love of Christ they posses is brilliantly reflected in everything they do. And 43 years later, they are an example of stability in this world that has confused what a marriage was designed to be.

Congratulations to my Parents, who yesterday celebrated 43 years of marriage. May you have many more!

New Look!

Last Friday I went to visit my friend, Candice at her new salon! She gave me a smashing new hair cut and...bangs!! The last time I had bangs was my second date with Bobby. I cut some bangs MYSELF right before he picked me up. I was in tears over what I had done to myself. Thankfully, it didn't have a lasting impression on him because he still married me, uneven bangs and all.

Anyway, latest news: Check out my Photo Blog for my most recent photo session: Confessions of a High School Girl!

Have a Great Week!

Coming Soon...

...to the Melissa Barrick Photography Blog:
The Story of a High School Girl.


Check back soon for more pictures!