About






Well, hello, there! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm Melissa Hiebert. There are many things that define me... I'm a follower of Jesus, a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a student (of Education), a lover of all things chocolate; I'm a girly-girl, a blog reader, a craver of inspiration, a server, a traveller, an over-user of elipses (...),  a preserver of life (a.k.a. digital scrapbooker...photog-wannabee?!) and a video artist (ahem...can I call it that?! What the heck, this is my blog, I can call it whatever I want!).  This is me.

What is Peanut Butter n' Jelly Films? Well, I guess that's me, too. It's something that's been on my mind...and heart...for almost a year now. It was time to do something about it. PBJ Films was inspired by a few people and happenings in my life. 1. My very talented cinematographer husband, Mark, (a.k.a. Paperback Films...Epic Videography) has been creating some unbelievably inspiring videos for the past few years. I'm surrounded by it. And I love it. And I wanted in on it!! I bought my own camera (thank you, customers who tip so well) and learned how to use it (thank you, Mark Hiebert). 2. My newfound drive and passion to document life...thank you Becky Higgins and Project Life. 3. My preggo friends. This past year there has been a lot of action among my circle of friends (...a lot of babies being born!). And as these dear friends of mine started pro-creating, and as I watched them become parents for the first...or second time...my heart was bursting with these beautiful moments that needed to be recorded...remembered...documented. Because we all know that life passes us by oh-so-fast. And there you have it. My response to these wonderful happenings...PBJ Films.

Why Peanut Butter and Jelly? (so glad you asked!). Because it's ordinary. There is nothing special about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It is a regular occurrance. Kinda mundane. And part of the 'every day'. So often we get caught up in 'waiting' for life to happen...that we forget to enjoy the everyday moments that make our lives what they are. These are the moments that make us who we are. I read a quote on a blog that I frequent that changed my life (thank you, Kendra!).

                        “Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you,
                         love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some
                         rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always
                         be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow,
                        or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the
                        world, your return.”

                                                                                                                      Mary Jean Iron

My attempt at embracing the ordinary helps me look at life differently. It grounds me. It makes me more grateful. It challenges me to find beauty in the everyday...even when the circumstances around me may not be so beautiful. Don't get me wrong...I don't claim to have 'arrived', or even feel like I'm well on my way. Exactly the opposite. Enjoying the everyday moments and embracing the ordinary is not an easy task ...especially for a dreamer like me. It's something I'm striving for...and longing for. I like to think of it as my own personal challenge. PBJ Films helps me do this. And hopefully it encourages you to do it, too. This blog is a mix of personal thoughts and happenings & my newfound love of baby films. I invite you to join me on this journey... whatever it turns out to be. Enjoy:)