Chelsea Merkley Graduation 2012

I am now a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies!

And I will hopefully receive my Undergraduate Applied Positive Psychology Certificate in August!

Thank you so much to Dr. Farr for all her help!

           Before Lining up for Commencement thanks for the gorgous Lei Cheryl & Joe! I love it!

                                                  I'm 3rd row up, 3rd person in.

                                                          2nd row up here

                                         Christopher sat through almost the whole commencement!

                                       Near the end, I let him come over to me and sit on my lap.

                                                                 Outside the Huntsman Center

                                                                       My  Family!

                                              I love you Christopher, right before I gave him a kiss!

   My son was adamant about not looking in this one, but I could see his cute eyes before this picture!

                           Some of these are fuzzy; if you look close you can see how thrilled I am!

                                                               I love this picture!

                                                                          We did it!

                                                       By the FCS Sign Walking Down!

                                                            Getting more excited!

                                                    They are reading my name

                                                     Smiling Holding up my Diploma

         Dr. Sonia Salari is the lady in the Purple,
She wrote 2  Reccommendations for me and was a Reference for me many times!
She wished me good luck and I gave her a hug to thank her!

She's smiling at me. She's the Best Family Violence Teacher ever!

Dr. Herrin was not here but he wrote 2 Reccommendations for me!

Dr. Funk was a Reference for me too! Thank you to all of you!

Thanks to Robert, Christopher, Cheryl & Joe and all my other family members and friends for supporting me!

For helping babysit our boy when we had tests and class.

For cheering me on! I couldn't have done it without you all!

Love, Chelsea

Graduation is on Friday!

I am going to my Commencement and University Convocation on Friday May 4!!!!!
College of Social And Behavioral Science, Undergraduates: 11:15 a.m., Jon M. Huntsman Center

Chelsea Merkley

Human Development & Family Studies Bachelor of Science

Applied Undergraduate Positive Psychology Certificate

Graduate: May 4, 2012!!!!!!!

                                            Portraits Taken at Daybreak Lake by Joe Merkley

                                                  My eyes are closed but Christopher looks cute!

                                                           Isn't he adorable!

                                                                I love my boy!

                                                   
                                                        Merkley Family!

Silly Face!

My last Exam of my Undergraduate Career is Wednesday! It is over 7 classes!

This is who is speaking at my commencement; Ed Catmull:
http://unews.utah.edu/news_releases/university-of-utah-to-graduate-7659-students-on-may/

This is my updated Domestic Violence Blog
http://howtobesafeinabusiverelationships.blogspot.com/2012/04/what-forgiveness-really-means.html

My family and interest blog: http://www.merkleyadventures.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-fight-right.html

Here is my post on my condition. http://www.merkleyadventures.blogspot.com/2012/04/infertilty.html

Have a great week! And welcome to summer!!!!!! I am going to be home with my baby boy soon!

Chels

How to fight right

I got this information from this article by WSJ Bond Columnist Elizabeth Bernstein
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703700904575391013484475040.html

I found it quite insightful.

Chelsea

Infertilty

This subject is personal, if you do not wish to read it I will not take offense at all; and completely understand.
I may not actually be infertile but I have not been able to have more children in almost 3 years of trying. My son will be 4 in a few months and I have wanted to provide him with a playmate and friend in a sibling since he was about 1 years old.

My dear friend posted this link on Infertility Etiquette; or how to treat friends and couples who have serious problems conceiving. http://www.resolve.org/support-and-services/for-family--friends/infertility-etiquette.html
I find it has really useful and practical information and suggestions.

My friend Kim who used to live in my neighborhood shares her story in her blog about her unsuccessful fertility treatments and the heartache it caused her. I actually felt relieved that I was not the only person with this problem, even though I would not wish it upon anyone. Being able to relate to one another and help each other through life is deeply important to me and I'm proud of her for having the courage and resolve to share such a personal experience. http://jaysonandkarissalynn.blogspot.com/2012/04/life-and-lies-of-karissa-kim.html She has encouraged others to share her story and I am happy she is so brave to help others in similar situations through the telling of her story.

I have always felt that I would have many children. We are so lucky to have our son and to be blessed with his spunky, wild and intelligent nature! I love him dearly and always will, and am very grateful I was able to conceive him and that I can nurture him in this life and teach him all the joys that life entails. I feel somewhat complacent feeling that I may not be able to have other children; when many couples I know cannot have even 1. Yet, still there is a pure feeling of sorrow within me. I love children, I have always loved babies, children and babysitting, nannying and taking care of them. I feel that I have always had a maternal nature and I connect with children emotionally. Random toddlers will often walk up to me where ever I am and smile, coo, or gawk at me; some even follow me around. In church when mothers are rocking their babies and quieting them, I can often be seen making funny faces at them and the wonderment in their eyes fills my soul with peace and majesty. My husband will tell you that I kiss my sons' cheeks often and hug him quite a bit. It really helps me see how blessed I am that I have him.

 I am not perfect and there are times when I make mistakes in raising my son; but that is normal and expected in a first-time parent with one child. I am learning every day. How to be more patient. How to try to keep my home cleaner and organized and how to feed my son things other than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. We have gotten him to eat eggrolls, Yakisoba and Pork Burritos! He eats surprisingly well for his age and has a uncanny intellect. He is very savvy with technology like his father. Like me he loves socializing with people of any age; and often plays in our neighborhood with his cousins and  with children up to 11 years old who are his friends. He is not afraid of people, and loves everyone. We have to be careful about this trait, and mindful of his whereabouts. He loves to sing and asks me to to sing to him every night. He thinks I am a famous Opera Singer, which makes me feel good.

 He loves cars and is often caught in my car pretending to drive it and honking the horn, playing with the steering wheel and mirrors. We take him to the Zoo, Aqaurium, To City Creek Mall, I read to him in the library and let him check out books. He loves to play soccer, although he thinks it's more like Football and Rugby which is funny. He tackles people with the ball and throws the ball into the goal and away from people. It is so fun to watch! He goes to his practice today and maybe he'll learn that in American Soccer you kick the ball and don't tackle! Silly boy! Love him to bits though!

I am coming to terms with the possibility that I may not be able to have any more children. I am still grieving in my heart and mind and have not yet completed that stage yet. I may adopt in the future, when I feel that I have no chance of conception. I still feel there is some hope and have not given up. I will try to accept whatever future my Heavenly Father; my loving God has for me.

Chelsea Merkley

Graduation Portraits- Daybreak Lake

I have more portraits but you can visit them at this link, you don't have to have a Facebook to view it. Chelsea

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150703712800784.399639.752880783&type=1&l=075be16a11

Graduation Pictures

Winding Down

I am almost a University of Utah Graduate!
I can hardly believe it! I am so excited!
I ordered my graduation Announcements today!
You will all get them soon!

This is a ring I designed that I think is cool, it's too expensive but looks real fun to have.
I think I am about a 9 o 9 and a half. Not sure yet though. I'll size myself soon.
HDFS Stands for Humand Development and Family Studies.
B.S. Stands for Bachelor of Sciences and Psychology stands for my Applied Positive Psychology Certificate. I think it looks pretty cool.
It is too much to ask from any one person though, but perhaps some combining of resources is possible.

At any rate, I love all of you regardless!

The last few years have been real challenging in my curriculum and studies.
I have loved the friends I have made, and the amazing teachers that have made me who I am.
And the countless opportunities for excellence and growth that I have been a part of, and will continue to change my outlook on life in the years to come.

The loving Choirs and uplifting musicians and directors I have worked with will touch my heart forever.
I will always remember the dear friends I have made and the cultivation of the Holy Spirit and our Testimonies through song in the Institute Singers Group from 2011-2012. My experience in the Concert Choir from 2007-2008 will forever be remembered and looked upon fondly. My love for Vocal Performance, and Music will always remain as my friendship for those I have met and love in Choirs.

Through it all my Mom and Dad and my Step-Family, My sweet brother and loving Sister in law, and darling niece Courtney, my amazing Uncle Todd, and Aunt Karin and Jill and Don and their children, and children's spouses and my In laws the Merkley's and their children (grandchildren, and their children's spouses) have been extremely supportive and loving!

So encouraging and helpful! Giving advice, proof-reading papers, reading blog posts about my school experiences and joy in learning, and love for all things Positive Psychology and happiness, love and forgiveness, listening to me talk and vent and just showing their love for me.

Giving hugs when needed and concern when neccesary, being Mentors and supporting my every move.
I am so blessed to have had such a joyous education which I love so much,
and a fantastic supportive family! I love all my family so much!
My wonderful Step-Grandpa Burt Cassity and his generosity and love to my Grandmother and her posterity is simply selfless and constantly loving! Thank you for all you do for us Burt!

My sisters and brother who I don't often see, but will always love have been kind to me regarding my Educational Endeavors and are very proud of me, and I thank them for their love and congratsulations on my accomplishments.

Yesterday was fun, it was a very long day. I went to a Farewell for Robert's Cousin Derek Merkley in Pleasant View, Utah at 9 AM. Pleasant View is past Ogden, Utah and we live in S. Jordan so it was a very early morning for us and we were really exhausted all day, but had great fun playing with Robert's cousins and his family and eating great food, and chatting with Mike and Erin Merkley and Aunt Pat and Uncle Kent. I loved spending time with Cheryl and Joe Merkley and Ann Merkly, Ruth and Joseph and their children and all of Chad's family and relatives. It was great fun!

We left the festivities around 1:30 and went to drop off sleepy Grandpa Joe at home and spend some time with Grandma Cheryl. Then we left to go home, I had 30 min. to rest before I went to Burt's house and we had a wonderful dinner with such a lovely Family! And received a priceless gift from Burt and a lovely message from him about our sweet Grandma.

I had to leave early to go to my last Institute Fireside at the SL Institute of Religion where I performed stupendous uplifting music to all those in attendance and we had an amazing spiritual experience uplifting one another and growing our talents and charity for God's children.

I got little sleep last night and need to do about 3 projects before Thursday and then one more and then I'm done with my Undergraduate Career! Life is amazing and I am extremely blessed and loved!

I thank my Heavenly Father for his love for me and the charity, love, forgiveness, kindness and joy he has helped me to learn in my life and strive to show to others.

I loved seeing my Mother last week come to my Choir Concert and hear me perform! It was great to see her!

I love hearing from my baby brother and learning his love for others, the selflessness and service he shows to the people where he serves and how he is helping to change the lives of so many, through the direction of the Spirit of the Lord.

I love my Cousins and Aunts and Uncles on the Barker side as well and all the support and love they have shown for me and my family and my accomplishments has been wonderful!

I am so full of love and happiness! Thank you to you all!

Chelsea Merkley