Natalie's Blog

Good Intentions

2012-01-16T07:55:00.000-08:00

I had good intentions to keep up with my blog during the winter break, but never seemed to actually get around to it.

The break was so nice! It was good to not have to worry about any test, but I still stressed about school. I was sick the whole time, and so happy it was during the break and not school.

During break I reached my peak and have almost gained an entire 20 pounds since being marrried. What the HECK!?!?!?! Seriously???
So we have joined the gym and I have intentions of that 20 pounds disappearing by graduation... Started going to the gym during break and it was going great until I got sick. I am a few pounds down and it is going to keep coming off!

I had a list of about 40 medications that I had intended to memorize by the end of break, and I memorized about 4. So now I will study them everyday until I know them front and back.

I am starting my 4th block of nursing school with a whole list of good intentions, probably too many to put here. I hope these intentions will go better than my planned intentions of blogging more during break.

This semester is going to be CRAZY and I am more terrified for this sememster than even starting nursing school with not a clue of what to expect. My husband has been more than supportive. He never complains when I choose to study rather than do something way more fun with him. He probably just as excited for this semester to be over as I, maybe even more so!

Here's to making it to 4th block and my list of good intentions!!

at precisely 2:30 pm today....

2011-12-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

At 2:30 this afternoon I take my final for the semester. For some reason I have never been this nervous for a final. It's been my best semester academically since starting nursing school, but I am terrified nonetheless. I NEED PRAYERS!!!!!

lazy house wife

2011-11-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

...that is what I have become. The lazy housewife.

I have watched an entire season plus some of Grey's Anatomy since Monday.

I have not had lunch ready for Cheston on his lunch break 50% of the time this week.

I am still in my pajamas today, and it is 1:oo pm. This is not the first day this week (it's Thursday people) that pajamas were worn ALL day.

I have dirty towels on the floor in our room... they have been there for a solid week.

Cheston has run out of underwear twice in the last month (and is well on his way to time number 3).

It took me 4 days to change the sheets on our long overdue bed.

I have let stacks of books and homework piled up on the side table, kitchen table, computer desk, dresser, floor, and couch for the last week.

AND I have stepped on crumbs, nasty floor juice in the bathroom every single day for the last 2 weeks, and just barely found the motivation to sweep and mop the floors about 15 minutes ago.

Anyone who knows me well or has lived with me KNOWS that I am ANTI-MESS and dirty... to the extreme!

But I have been cooking and baking new things...
Like apple crisp
Butterscotch rolls for Cheston
Brownies for our primary kids TWICE! (the first time I forgot
it was Fast Sunday-
so they went with us to Cheston's parents for Sunday dinner)
AND.... homemade pizza!

(That is a gluten free delight!)

All perfect ingredients for getting f a t and having a smelly house! Something must change!!

12 X 17

2011-11-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

What once was a GARAGE.... is now our HOME

12 X 17 feet. That is the size of our living space!

Our bed reaches higher than my waist in height. And I love it!! Sure, it's a full size, and I have to use a chair to get in it every night, it was the best idea I have ever had! Honest!

Also I love the quilt, at the end of the bed, that my mother and aunt made for our wedding!

Happy to know we are not starving?? Welcome to our kitchen.

Which also seconds as the study.

Cheston is the best husband! He goes to work every morning at 6 am...

and still magages to get straight A's!! He got the highest score in class on his Chemistry test last week! And as I blog, he is in Anatomy and I just recieved the following text:

"I got a 100% on my test!"

I married a GENIUS!!! and not only is he a smarty pants, he rubs my feet, washes the dishes, does chores with me EVERY Saturday and cooks for me sometimes!

LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM!!!

So she is not a looker... Neither is the curtain behind her.
The curtain was a great idea, compliments of my mother. So we now have a living room AND a bedroom.... Not just a large open space. All for less that 10 bucks! Thank you mom!

Cheston likes to read here. Thank you Grandma for the chair! We love it!
Can't wait for our other wedding pictures- if you can't tell.

Christmas came a little early this year in our home! I think I am just so excited that Cheston and I will have our first Christmas as a family this year!!

I hate the bathroom. The floor that has water randomly seep up from who knows where. The shower that I can barely move in. The sink that never drains (although Cheston, the plumber, fixed it today and it smelled like puke in the house afterward.) So maybe tomorrow I will be a little happier about this room- until then, be happy this is not yours! SERIOUSLY.... be happy it is not yours.

That fan on the celing- it isjust a decoration... oh and the light switch is on the wall in the living room- seriously, who thought that was the ideal place???

We love our first home, despite the bathroom. And as much as people make fun of our bed, I think it is genius! You have no idea how much room it saves until you live in a SMALL one car garage.

What's mine is yours... and so marriage goes....

2011-09-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

It seems as though I have lost sight of blogging, I can't believe it has been so long.

I AM MARRIED! I regret to inform you all that I myself don't have my wedding pictures yet.... stay tuned though, I know they will come one day!

It was a perfect day! Everything went right, we were in the temple, no stress, good food, good people... and I was married to the BEST man in the world! It could not have been more perfect :)

Cheston took me on a surprise honeymoon to Breckenridge, CO.... because he is super romantic and stuff.

The highlight of the trip goes as follows:

Wedding night after reception picking our things up at the house before we left to Mesa:

Ches: Shoot! I forgot my flip flops at my parents house. I really don't want to go all the way back there, can I just wear yours?

ME: Sure! They will be too small, but if you want to, that is fine!

Ches: They will be fine. I will just wear them tonight and to the pool and stuff.

We were on our way. The morning after while getting ready to leave to the airport from the hotel:

Ches: (thinking out loud) Should I wear tennis shoes today, or just your flip flops?

ME: Just wear the flip flops! It will be easier going through security and stuff.

Cheston agrees and wears my flip flops.

On our way to Breckenridge in the rental car from Denver:

ME: We should go hiking one day! It's so pretty here. What do you think?

Ches: That is a great idea! We are going to have so much fun this week! (He smiles)

Cheston's smile quickly turns into a look of terror....

I start laughing.....

Ches: I don't have shoes! All I have are your flip flops!!

I found much humor in the situation..... Cheston, not so much.....

And so our life goes.... I laugh a lot, Cheston doesn't always think it's as funny as I do.

I love him, and I love being married!!

We should serioulsy consider changing careers to photographers.... we are that good at documenting all memories.

All the pictures we took, were this good....

I tried to add a video, but it won't load... sorry!

the details of the engagement

2011-07-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

I am not quiete sure why my blogging skills have been less than admirable as of late.... but they have. I have been engaged since June 11th and I have yet to find the motivation to share all the details of that very happy day! And yes it was VERY happy! It could not have been more perfect. Hopefully this blog will help me find some motivation in the very near future to blog all the details of the day my wonderful, soon to be HUSBAND.... PROPOSED!! Hopefully I will actually do it before the wedding.... wish me luck!

Don't be alarmed by this blog.... I am very happy and very excited!

I LOVE Cheston Thatcher.... that is all

My Boyfriend is 12

2011-05-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

We reverted back to Cheston's childhood and had "ENGINEERING WEEK" and built towers with toothpicks and hot glue.

The rules were as follows:

1. You may only use toothpicks and hot glue.

2. You may not use an excess of hot glue.

3. Your tower must be at least as tall as a pen.

4. The winner's tower will hold the most weight.

Cheston won.

He had 2 more books than this, but I didn't get the camera fast enough... It held them for a solid 20 seconds though.

I had my speculations of how much weight these flimsy towers would hold, but I was quiet surprised at the results. Those books are not what I consider light.

I knew that my nursing books would come in handy for something.... and they did :)

Cheston has debated back and forth between being a dentist and an engineer..... I think he would be an awesome engineer, but he has decided on dentistry for now.

"Engineering week" is just one more reason why I have SO MUCH FUN with this guy!!

He is gone for the summer, and I already miss him! He is selling security systems.... if you have been considering getting one, Cheston is your guy!

2...4...6...8...

2011-04-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

TWO terribly l o n g semesters and my first year of nursing school will be over in TWO short weeks.

FOUR concept maps this semester FINISHED- don't know what a concept map is??? here I will show you.....

(the top was my first... the bottom was my last)

they were almost the death of me.

s.e.r.i.o.u.s.l.y

almost SIX pounds gained- i hate you nursing school

(soon to be lost though, thank you summer)

(this is the most awkward picture... i know)

and EIGHT months with this guy that in included,

r.a.n.d.o.m crying episodes in the library, the worst of natalie shown far too often, and stress somedays I thought was too much to handle..... and he is still my best friend!

GOODBYE first year of nursing school, we shall never meet again.

i thought it only happened in movies

2011-04-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

This is what NOT to do:

do not put liquid dish soap in the diswasher if you run out of the proper soap.

it will leak out.

it wil foam.

yes that is real life.

that is all.

all things must come to an end

2011-04-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

it's time to end the stress, and just be happy. most things with school that cause stress are done...

my goals for the rest of the semester are as follows:

1. be better a serving the sisters in my ward

2. just be happy, even about the things i can't control (byu you have ruined my life, but i am still happy)

survival of the fittest

2011-03-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

I am not fittest. Hello time to work out.....

This is the one that did it for me... Black does not hide everything... Wow!

I love Jennifer... I love Picazzos. Enough said.

giving up

2011-03-10T08:50:00.000-08:00

This has been a challenging week. I knew the month of March would nearly kill me, but I didn't take into consideration the other unplanned twists that would make it even harder. I was talking to my friend, Dave, this morning and I half joking told him I was on the verge of giving up on certain things... and he shared this quote with me:

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed is always try
just one more time."
-Thomas Edison

So I share it with you. I thought it was fabulous!
I have realized this week, that I have some very good friends that really care about me, and that has made the biggest difference.

Also I started my VERY first IV on a human being.... and I got it on my first try!! YAHOO!!! On to weekend clinicals and Banner :)

work in progress

2011-02-27T15:37:00.000-08:00

I have been serving as the Relief Society president in my ward this school year. This is the 3rd presidency I have served in. I have loved serving and learned so many things. Earlier this week I was visiting with my bishop and among lots of things, small talk was exchanged about how there have been times that people have more experience serving don't allow others with less experince to learn and grow in their experience to serve. I did not think twice about it really until today as I was thinking about some things that have really troubled me during my serving. I never fail to get frustrated that not everyone understands the importance of going to ALL your meetings, showing up to meetings on time, and how you can easily show up to class or something your really want to do early in the morning but you can't show up to 9:00 church on time or at all. I struggle with feeling like I have to be a babysitter sometimes, and wake people up for church, remind people consistantly to do their visiting teaching, and many other things..... but it FINALLY occured to me today, that I must allow the girls that I love so much to learn for themselves and gain their own testimonies of the importance of the little things that we are asked to do. So if I call someone and ask them if they have done their visiting teaching, and they basically tell me it is not a top priority to them... it's okay. If someone chooses to sleep in on Sunday morning and not make it to Relief Society... it's okay. I was there once too, and I almost always forget that I had to learn these things too... and until I was ready to do it on my own, there was no way that I was going to do it.
I am really going to miss serving when this school year is finally over. I have been so overly stressed, and feeling overworked... but more importantly I have been overly blessed and learn something every day. I have learned that I can love people I don't even know, and be concerned for them and want them to truly succeed. We are all continually a work in progress and the most important thing to do is just to love people for who they are.

On a side note: test number 2 tomorrow. Wish me luck!!

BEST and WORST

2011-02-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

I had the BEST Valentine....

And he had the all time WORST Valentine....

He will hate me if he knows I put this up :)

Big thanks to Cheston for putting up with me and still being a good Valentine even when I was the biggest grump- TO HIM!! He is is the the absolute VERY best :)

Unfortunately I only took one picture of Valentine's day.... but I have something special in store for this guy this week, and with a little cooperation- pictures will be on their way...

only 2.5 semesters left and the happy Natalie will be return and be a permanent resident.

I am not flexible

2011-01-29T08:57:00.001-08:00

They tell us in nursing school you have to be flexible, I am not that. I do not do well with plans changing every 5 seconds. I may not be made for nursing.

FRUSTRATED this morning.... The END

...happy with that

2011-01-15T12:17:00.001-08:00

"Be you. Find you. Be happy with that."

I found this quote on someones blog the other day. I loved it! As I read I started to think about my life and where I am and where I would like to to be. I know that I am not where I would like to be, but I think that is everyone, and I understand that eventually all the peices will fall into place. We are here to learn and to progress and that progression should never stop or become stagnent. I have come to learn, especially recently, that I have masked a lot of my insecurities over the years and they seem to be popping out here and there. Insecurites of not being as in shape as I would like to be, never learning to play sport (you think this is silly, but yes I wish I knew how to play sports), afraid to build relationships with people for fear that it is just a momentary friendship as everyone seems to leave me in the single world alone, my lack of scriptural knowledge, the few pounds I have gained in nursing school, my inate ability to say things that inevidibly hurt someone I care about, and the list could just keep going on. Some of these have been a part of me for years and I get hard on myself and feel like I will never measure up to who the Lord wants me to be.

However, inspite of these insecurties, I am going to try to be easier on myself. I am happy that I know who I am and that I have an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know the things that are most important in life and the things that bring me the most happiness. So although I may not know how to gracefully catch a ball, I do know that I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father. I know that the gospel and my family are the things that bring me the most happiness in life. I know that my family and others love me regardless of my imperfections. I may not be perfect in my calling, or ALWAYS saying the right things at the right time, but I am constantly improving and becoming a better woman. I am gracefully imperfect, and I am happy with that.

I got nothing....

2011-01-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

Back to school! I am excited and oh so nervous. This should be a busy and great semester. I am also taking 2 different institute classes. Last night we learned about keeping an eternal perspective.... how appropriate for my life right now. Hopefully I will have something more exciting to blog about soon, but for now... here is a picture.

BESTIES

I know it is these pictures that keep you all guessing.... :)

he helped me remember

2010-12-01T18:58:00.000-08:00

Amidst the chaos of finishing my 1st block of nursing school, trying my best to do my calling, and not neglect those that I care most about, I have managed to lose the Christmas spirit that I look forward to all year, every year. It's saddening that not one single festive decoration has adorned the walls of my home, that Christmas carols are a rarity, a card has not been fashioned, and a Christmas craft has not even been started.

That all changed last night. Although I was near complete exhaustion from a long day of clinicals and the worrying and stress of 3 exams in the next 7 days, Cheston managed to get me out of bed (at 8pm, might I add) to bring the spirit of Christmas into my heart! His original plan was for us to make each other ornaments... alas Walmart fails every time and not a single "do it yourself" ornament was to be found. Creativity struck Cheston's mind and we made a plate and a candy dish!! Let's face it, Cheston is better at everything than I am.... including crafting!

Here are our creations!!!!

We also reverted to our childhood and built a fort last week when I got home from my Thanksgiving visit to my family. He fashioned this for me and we played Disney children's games (compliments of my mother).... and of course Cheston won EVERY game.

Regrets

2010-11-23T23:58:00.001-08:00

I may or may not have cut 7 to 10 inches off my hair Monday night..... I also may or may not regret it. I really do like it, but let's face it, I miss my long hair! Nursing school stress can do something crazy to a girl.

28 days

2010-11-16T20:14:00.001-08:00

In exactly 28 days I will be finished with my first block of nursing school! I can't even believe it, it has FLOWN by! I never thought I would even get into nursing school, and here I am... DOING IT!!!! (and staying half way sane in the process might I add)

I figured since school rules my life, and I should be studying right now, I would update my neglected blog before the next 3 craziest weeks of life come at me.

Just a few things that have happened:

THIS GIRL has come to see me two different times. I wonder how I have survived my entire lifetime without her. Seriously.... The BESTEST friend I could ask for :)

Maryann came, and I loved every second of it.... even if I was busy with school!

I took a break from life and went to Mesa with Jenny and Cara. It was seriously a great weekend... and it was followed up with:

A drive up the mountain to look at to fall colors on Sunday afternoon! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fall. And this was just the start to a magnificent week!

I occasionally wonder why certain things have happened in life the way they have. I always know that there is a bigger plan than mine, but still, I sometimes question the purpose. Tonight after studying all day and pondering for the last few days about the way things have gone this semester.... something wonderful happened! A simple comment was made to me by a lady in my ward, and it answered the very question I have been having! I know I am exactly where I need to be and the Lord is pleased with what I am doing.... That makes everything worth it!

Motherhood

2010-10-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

I think about some of the REALLY good moms that I know. My very own mother is amazing! She is very patient, kind, loves us no matter what, RARELY loses her temper, so fun, and she is one of my very best friends! Also there is my sister-in-law, Laura. She is wonder mom I swear. She is everything a mother should be! I am seriously amazed by her. If any of you read her blog or know her, you would agree with me 150%.

I think I am going to fail at motherhood. Why you ask???

ROOMMATES!!!!!

I never fail to get upset at a messy house in the morning.

I never fail to say something unkind everyday.

I never fail to not feel the love at least once a week.

I am known to be a fun hater.

.... and sometimes a really awful friend to them.

I feel so bad for being so awful somedays.... I heard a quote yesterday from Elder Faust "Self mastery is the key to spirituality." I have a long way to go....

I am not ready for motherhood, and I hope that one day I will follow the example of some of the BEST mothers I know.... Laura and my mom!!

I love 2 for 1's

2010-09-16T00:06:00.000-07:00

This is Danny.

Danny comes over every day with his lunch.

Danny told us a story about a girl who gave her roommates mattress away after only 3 days of knowing her. Why you ask? Because someone else needed a bed of course!

Natalie and Cara gave their roommate's bed away..... to someone else that needed a bed of course!

Danny's roommate's girlfriend was visiting for the night.

Danny's roommate has a twin size bed he planned on sharing.

Danny knows slumber parties are against the rules.... Danny's roommate likes to break the rules.

Danny's roommate did not appreciate the humor.

Natalie and Cara's roommate did not either.

Natalie and Cara successfully tricked 2 people with 1 prank.

Genius? I think so!

2 weeks

2010-09-02T09:20:00.001-07:00

I am only 2 weeks into school and I have been reading more than I ever thought I could. I read and read and read..... yet I feel so far behind. I hope I survive this!

Also I went to my first institute dance that I actually enjoyed. That was a huge surprise! I get less sleep than I ever have, and I am surviving. I think I may be able to do this. Also I just got called to be the relief society president. LIFE IS BUSY!!! But it is very good. :) Here are some pictures of my life in the last 2 weeks!

Ashley came for a visit and we went to a movie!! I LOVE this girl and miss her every single day!!!

CARA!!!! She is so cute! I am so happy I live with her :) We are going to Devotional.

Andy :)

First and only trip to the library..... Degen equals FAVORITE!

Jennifer!! This is the worst picture. I am so exhausted. We even snuck 79 cent happiness in... thats how tired I was. Jennifer is my first counselor and my roommate! She is so darn funny!!!

GOOD THINGS TO COME

2010-08-08T22:13:00.000-07:00

This video brought me happy feelings today.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

I THINK I may be loving him....

2010-08-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

Confession... I have caught THE BIEBES.

That's right, I shamefully tell the blogging world that I like Justin Beiber and his "I am 13 years old and know all about love" songs.

Who doesn't LOVE a purple V-Neck sweater??

Dinner for Schmucks vs. Dinner with Parkers

2010-07-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to the temple..... LOVED IT

Then dinner with the Parkers. Also LOVED IT

Awful picture sorry!! I think Cass was having fun, this picture does not show it though. Shoot!

Then Dinner for Schmucks.....

HATED IT!!!!!!That is all.

It's Time I Start Learning

2010-07-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

“TO EVERY MAN [PERSON] THERE COMES IN HIS LIFETIME THAT SPECIAL MOMENT WHEN HE IS FIGURATIVELY TAPPED ON THE SHOULDER AND OFFERED A CHANCE TO DO A VERY SPECIAL THING, UNIQUE TO HIM AND FITTED TO HIS TALENTS. WHAT A TRAGEDY IF THAT MOMENT FINDS HIM UNPREPARED OR UNQUALIFIED FOR THAT WHICH WOULD BE HIS FINEST HOUR.”

– WINSTON CHURCHILL

The last 3 days this man has been brought up in conversation, heard about in a movie, or just randomly came across in my email. Confession, I don't really know much about him. In fact I don't really even know who he is, just that he is important. I love this quote! Also, I watched "LDS Lives" on Sunday and it was about Janice Kapp Perry. She did not start writing music until she was 40!!! That's what she is most well known for! It's never too late to do something you have always dreamed of doing.

What is PARKOUR?

2010-07-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

Parkour (pronounced par-KOOR): An athletic discipline, in which practitioners traverse any environment in the most efficient way possible using their physical abilities, and which commonly involves running, jumping, vaulting, rolling and other similar physical movements.

I hope everyone reading this is a fan of The Office and remembers THIS episode.

Cass has taken up this new hobby. It all started last Friday when we went and experienced EL RIO Theater and watched The Prince of Persia. In the first 10 minutes apparently there was some "parkour" taking place. Cass leans over and asks me if I know what that sport is called... What!?! Sport???? I told him I didn't know, but my first thought was "hardcore parkour!" Michael Scott, Dwitght Shrute, Andy Bernard style, but sport?? I was clueless!

Thursday comes. 9:50 am I receive a text "It's called parkour. The wall climbing sport. I want to start doing it." I was brought to tears because I thought he was kidding and I could not stop laughing.

Today comes.

8:55 am Cass texts "I am going to start parkour training."

8:55 am I text "How do you start training? haha"

8:57 am Cass texts "Find a place with walls then start practicing moves."

10:30 am Cass walks through the front door at work drenched in sweat...

PARKOUR training Day 1 equals SUCCESS

It is pronounced sigh-muns

2010-07-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

PRESENTING Mrs. Simons!!!

I am not quiet sure why I have such a bad habit of only getting one picture, but here she is before she headed to the temple

I love this girl more than anything in the world! We have had so many great times in the short time we have known each other. I am sure that some of my other posts would lead you to believe that I pick on her A LOT, in fact I do.... But I love her more than you can imagine!!! She is one of my best friends. I have to talk to her every single day!! We have even learned how to voice texts and if we could become fans of that via facebook we would :)

The summer has been great thus far! It feels like it is lasting forever, yet coming so close to ending. I am excited to start nursing school in the fall, I just wish this summer could go on forever... I guess time will tell what the future has in store for me :)

This is what I found on my truck window Saturday morning on my way to work from a special someone... most of you have already heard the story (since only 2 people read my blog), but here they are again!!

one down.... two to go

2010-05-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

Meet Mrs. Parker!

She did it, she is married! I am so happy for her. She was the first of 3 roommate weddings this summer. If you are good at math, you will know that I had 3 roommates, and 3 weddings this summer equals them all getting married!

Some of my favorite past times with TK include our trip to Nogalas I never blogged about, and still hear about. Here are a few highlights:

First stop- Catholic church. Don't remember the name, but it was pretty. They had exactly one bathroom stall open for about 50 ladies.

We traveled on a bus, for hours! Sudoku!

I used my spanish skill to order us soda from McDonalds

We rode a bike

Last but not least.... this man is a student, and provided much entertainment. His hat says "MEXICO" he was awesome.

TK's date with The Bride of Frankenstein

Countless tricks played on Ashley, and walks every day. Chemistry class at 7 am, which included several notes.. your spelling skills rock TK, need I say more?? Happy hour?? YES! Her forcing me to go outside my comfort zone, and wearing shorter shorts in public. Kickboxing class that no one else enjoyed.... and the list goes on.

My favorite past time would be the night we stayed up whispering in my bedroom while Audra slept. I have no documented pictures just a lot of fun memories... the following video will demonstrate just one of the strange nights we had, just passing time:

I love you TK! You saved my life and have been one of the best friends to me this last school year. You were always willing to listen to me whine about boy problems, and you would always go walking with me, even if it was the 3rd time that day I wanted to go for a walk. JD will not be as cool of a roommate as me, I am certain of that... but he is a good man, and you are a lucky woman!

450 pound man LOVES butter

2010-05-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

I have been laughing about this all day, and I just had to share it with everyone, because it is moments like these that make very happy and remind me that I am not the only one who says things at the wrong time....

This is Tawni and JD. JD is Tawni's fiance.

This is Me and Nate. If you don't know who Nate is, I am NOT going to tell you because I don't want to talk about it.

Wednesday was our last night together in Thatcher. JD came to help Tawni move the rest of her stuff. Last time he was in town, I believe him and Nate nearly fell in love. They stayed up all night talking about life and hit things off really well. So it only made sense that we have a final hoorah before JD and Tawni get hitched, and Tawni and I no longer share a bathroom. So we went to Denny's!

JD ordered pancakes and eggs. Nate of course ordered as much food as possible, all you can eat pancakes for $4.

It played out something like this:

- Nate: (to waitress) can I get some more butter?

- Waitress: yes.

- waitress returns to table with large side of said butter.

- Nate commences butter application of pancakes.

- JD: I once knew this man that was about 450 to 500 pounds that loved butter on his pancakes. He always covered them in butter. No wonder he was so big!

-Nate: I am about that, 450 pounds to 500 pounds.

- JD: Really?

... AWKWARD SILENCE...

Me and TK just looked at each other, and said nothing...

This is Nate, and I love him.

This is Tawni, and I love her.

Granny Panties

2010-05-04T23:17:00.001-07:00

Nothing like a good wedgie to bring a little roommate happiness... She will remain nameless to protect her identity.

2010-04-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

I am done dating.... that is all!

Fight or Flight??? Does that even apply?

2010-04-11T21:14:00.001-07:00

Tawni and I had been doing so well for a good month. We were walking 3 miles a day, running the stadium, and attending either a kickboxing or pilates class (depending on the day). A good week ago we had decided to lay down on my bed and watch our beloved Jack Bauer in 24. We both were having major sweet tooth cravings.... we wanted something and we wanted it bad. Since we had been working so hard, we didn't want all that work to go to waste. I had stuff to make us berry smoothies.... YUM!!! We made 2 big cups for the both of us. We returned to my room and something TRAGIC occurred...

I had knocked my ENTIRE cup of smoothie off my night stand and made a GIANT mess... Pretty sure it looked like puke. I could not stop laughing and Tawni could not stop bossing "It's going to stain! We got to get this up!" I guess there are reasons why she is getting married, and I am not... she is way more ready for marriage than I.

It has now been exactly a week since we have done any exercise... DANG SMOOTHIE! UGH!

I love this man

2010-03-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

This man is my hero. I love him so much. He is the most selfless person I have ever met. His sense of humor is just one more reason why I love him so.

Latest post from Grandpa on our family website:

"Jay Cluff you are ugly and you can't pick a winner. You still think wrestling is a legitamate sport. Will you are tall but you can't play basketball and you are even worse at picking this years champion. And by the way Clint, just because you now have a boy doesn't mean you can pick the winner either. Christine you have a sweet shot but let's see how you are at picking the winning team. Orson you are by far the best basketball player in the family but can you pick the NCAA Champion. And John and Adele you can't use the my knee hurts excuse this time. Step up and show me the Bracket. Jim you can lose weight but can you pick a winner. Jarom you can build a house but can you build a bracket. Scott you are good at biology but how are you at bracketology? Can any Pace set the pace? Allreds? What you got? David, Justin, Chelsea can run but can you run the table in the tourney? Jose it's your birthday but this is no gift you got to earn it. Dang this Morphine is making me feel good"

Scripture Power

2010-02-22T22:36:00.000-08:00

March 2010 GOAL:

Read the Book of Mormon.....

Day 2 finished. I am at 1 Nephi 17.... I have a good pace right now, and will be finished March 30th!

I am excited for this goal. I hope to become closer to my Heavenly Father, and align my will more with His. This semester I am taking the institute class I am taking in "Teachings of the Living Prophets" It is such a great class! I love the spirit that is there and the things that it teaches me. I am trying to be more diligent, and become more Christlike. I have learned a lot about myself in the last few weeks, I have goals to makes some improvements, and I know the Lord will bless me as I come closer to Him. The scriptures bring power, I know they do!

To Speak Like and Angel.....

2010-02-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

I don't know how well someone has to know me to know that I don't usually think about things before I say them... They just come out. I have been known to hurt feelings on several occasions whether intentional or not (yes I said intentional, you have done it too, don't judge me). Last night as I got into bed I had this prompting that I needed to read Elder Holland's address "The Tongue of Angels" I was in bed though, so I struggled to get out of bed and I am SO glad I did.

This is what I noticed this time:

"A woman's words can be more piercing than any dagger forged, and they can drive the people they love to retreat beyond a barrier more distant than anyone in the beginning of that exchange could ever have imagined."

I always try to get better at this, and seem to always fail. The Lord does hear and answer prayers to bring comfort and new understanding.... even if it is at one in the morning, we just have to listen and obey.

I am Jim Halpert...

2010-01-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

.... she is Dwight Schrute. Is safe to say that I am so good at playing tricks on my roommates? Does it usually result in someone being upset for the rest of the day or the week?? The answer to both of those questions is, "YES!" I play most jokes on Ashley and TK and depending on who is the victim, I usually include the other as being a sidekick to my plot that brings me much happiness. My tricks have included locking Ashley out of the house at 11:00 p.m. when she had run up to Cortney's house quickly. TK and I sit on the couch giggling as Ashley groans, "Ugh! They locked me out!!" Luckily Cortney was with her and taught her how to remove the screen in the window to open the door.... As we burst into laughter, Tk and I received looks of death.... which nearly resulted in the death of TK. Ash attempted to lock Tawni out of their room for the remainder of the night.... She gathered all keys waved them in the air and exclaimed, "I am going to bed, and locking the door!" I was somewhat puzzled at the reaction to such an AMAZING trick that lasted no longer that 30 seconds.... You would think that I would learn my lesson from this experience, however I have not! These experiences have brought me many good times to laugh at and reflect on here in Thatcher.

This week yet another trick began. One day Ashley and I were home alone and she began to explain to me how she prefers the toilet paper to be on the holder a certain way and if it is not she goes nuts and has to change it. Instantly a lightbulb appeared above my head and for the next 3 days I switched the toilet paper to the opposing way that could make a human being go crazy and not be able to continue their experience in the bathroom until the toilet paper had be changed to the proper way of holding. Sadly she did catch me just as I got Tawni and Audra in on the act.... happiness ended.

The "PROPER" way to have the toilet paper hang

My master trickery :)

Just seconds ago I played a switcheroo on Ash. Until she reads this blog, she will think the trick was played on me.... Thank goodness TK is the most trusted sidekick of all and Ashley's tricks are not as genius as mine :) Her trick was simply that she wanted Tawni to convince me to start Harry Potter without her and I would assume her to get mad if we started the movie without her..... however I am the master of tricks, and Tawni told me it was a trick. So as Ashley got out of the shower I informed her that Tawni is a jerk and wanted to start the movie without her, but I am a kind friend and would never do that to her..... however I will always play the best tricks on her because I am Jim Halpert and she is Dwight Schrute.....

LOVE YOU ASH

EARLY Christmas and Birthday Fiesta

2009-12-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

You think you know a guy.... but you don't!

Last Saturday we had a fun roommate Christmas and then a birthday party that night for TK, Cortney and I. Since we will all be gone for birthday's we celebrated early! It was so much fun. Throughout the evening the Happy Birthday song rang through the house 3 different times, once even in SPANISH!!! (that was mine... I was really happy about it)

For Christmas TK got us roomie shirts to make. It was a lot of fun spending time with the girls and crafting! Are the shirts complete inside jokes?? ABSOLUTELY... no one understands them, and if we tell them, they don't think it is as near as funny as we do... So I will not even begin to explain. But I love them so much and it was the best gift! Audra got us mace.... as TK says "She is very into guns, knifes, and safety." That is very true... I think she is a gun advocate... if a guy crossed her wrong she would take a gun on them and that is the truth, she even told me once. She said, "They have already made the decision to put themselves in harms way." Not to worry though, we keep all guns away from her and she is not completely crazy :)

Front view: "I heart pacman"

Audra was gone with Kaleb so I didn't get her in... Tawni did later, but she has already left for Christmas :(

Back view: "... and Mexico"

BIRTHDAY GIRLS

Me, Cortney (c-face) and Tawni (TK)

Dallin and Weston wanted shirts too :) They say: "I heart 502 girls" we forgot the apartment part... so it looks like they are girl crazy... but they really just love us :) OR I like to think they do

I was so happy we all were able to share a celebration together for our birthday. Since we love Mexico and it is Christmas time we thought it fitting to decorate with red and green streamers :) I am even going to learn spanish so I can be well versed in the culture :) We had TWO birthday cakes... one gluten-free ... happiness!

The handsome mexican boys serenaded us in Spanish!!

Axel, Dallin, Weston, and Kaleb

I left the party early to go watch the last round of the NFR with Dallin and our new friend Weston. While I was gone my friend Degen told me had a present for me... I WAS SO EXCITED!! I was not expecting gifts from any one, and was very pleased with the thoughtfulness he had. So Dallin and I hurried back home to see what my gift was... this is what we found....

That is a paddle in his hand!! OUCH!! and what the heck Dallin?? He held my legs down so I didn't kick... TRAITOR

YOU THINK YOU KNOW A GUY.... BUT YOU DON'T

The Perfect Morning

2009-12-03T13:06:00.000-08:00

Who says that things can't be absolutely perfect??? This morning I woke up to Audra getting ready for school in peace and quiet... No wretched alarm going off every 5 minutes for an hour an a half, instead a peaceful happy Audra sitting in front of the closet picking out her clothes for the day. As I woke up, she greeted me with a huge smile and said, "Natalie you creeped me out last night. You whisper and laugh while you sleep." First, I don't know why she is smiling and telling me that I am creepy, but it is our sweet, naive little Audra. However, this is brand new information to me. I had not a clue that this is what happens when I sleep well :) I knew that there are times that I snore as loud as my mother, which is loud enough to wake yourself up... but whisper... and laugh?? It is quiet the change from the norm in our little room. It is usually Audra who causes some sort of ruckus, or her alarm clock actually... Have I mentioned I HATE THAT THING!!!!!! I think I may snap it in half one day, and I am not kidding! Enough of that... in through the nose out through the mouth. I get angry just thinking about it.

As the morning progressed (2 minutes later), Rhianna called both Audra and I. Rhianna is my sister, or so everyone thinks. People ask us all the time if we are sisters, and I don't complain because she is BEAUTIFUL... Which equals Natalie being beautiful :) hahaha! Kidding, but really. Anyway my sister called to let us know that we should not open our front door unless we wanted to be greeted with a flood of snow. A guy named Eric called her and told her so she could tell us! Eric is a guy who honestly believes my name is Rachel and INEVER EVER correct him. Some say it is a mean joke, I compare it to joy... It makes me VERY VERY happy every time it happens. Seriously makes me laugh no matter how many times a day it happens... He says it so confidently and I just LOVE it :) We went and looked out the front window, sure enough it snows in Thatcher, and our front door was packed tightly with snow from the ground to the top. I have always wanted to know what it is like to be snowed in... and now I know. I thought it was really funny! I want to hug whoever did it, they are genius! I love that our window seconds as a door. What a perfect morning :)

Tk has only been awake for 3 minutes here... yes we woke her up just to see it :)

Audra and Ashley off to school :)

shovels of choice : dust pan and ice scraper... Tawni chose a spatula, and it broke, who would have thought???

Tawni and I

Tawni and Ash

The Latest

2009-11-24T11:36:00.000-08:00

It has been some time since I updated my life... yes I said my life! Not much goes on here in the little town of Thatcher. I have decided I really need to get a hobby... I am back into the swing of things with school, and now I feel like I have all the time in the world to do anything, yet I just sit around my house thinking how bored I am. It is getting cold outside so I hate leaving the house even just to go to my truck to drive to school... 7 am Chemistry class is on my list of hate right now... I wear LAYERS and LAYERS of clothes and I am still cold.

Last month we had our Fall Sing concert. It was interesting... It's the first time I have been in a choir, outside of church, since junior high. It was a 3 day concert, and we wore the MOST BEAUTIFUL dresses I have ever seen (take note that sarcasm is in my tone).

In the last couple weeks I have gone with my roommates to Globe twice... that tells you how lame my life is... hahahaha! We went on Vet's Day as roommates, minus Audra, for mexican food and a little stroll down the roads of old Main Street. Then on Friday night I went with Tawni so she could see her boyfriend... It was quiet a boring trip, thank goodness our teenage friend came with us so I could act like a child with him while Tawni enjoyed her time with JD.

Other than being very excited to go home this weekend, and that I am upgrading from sleeping on a cot to a futon... nothing is happening here.

Not too bad for a timer picture... see they are beautiful

On our way to Globe

Sanity is Renewed

2009-10-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Erin and Amanda came to visit me this weekend. I love these girls so much! They are, by far, 2 of my favorite people. I realize that I do have lots of favorite people, and have a tendency to love most people I meet... but these girls are different. I met them about 2 1/2 or 3 years ago when I lived in Mesa. They were in my ward, and their house just basically adopted me as one of their roommates. At the time I had been living alone, and they always included me in all of the roommate things they did. All of those girls have become some of my best friends. Lisa, Shauna, and Lindsey are all married, but we all still get together and have fun occasionally and they bring their husbands.

Living in Thatcher this time, I have learned lots of new things and have realized it is hard sometimes to meet new people that you just click with. I don't know if it is because most of the people here are younger than me, or if I really am just a big grouch.. but some days it is hard and I really miss the friendships I built in Mesa. I could not have asked for a better weekend for Erin and Amanda to come visit me. It was a nice little pick me up to keep going. Studying becomes redundant and all the silly drama gets to me sometimes... and this weekend was free of all of the above! I am glad we could have a last little hoorah before Erin heads to Brazil for 18 months!!! Love you girls :)

Amanda, Erin, and I at the duck ponds

Pima Mini Mart has the BEST mint chocolate chip ice cream... look how HUGE the single scoop is :)

It's possible I live at a library....

2009-09-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

Life has been a little stressful the last couple weeks. I feel like I have been studying my life away at the library, and it is only going to get worse when I am actually in nursing school. I spoke in church on Sunday, and that is always stressful for me... but I feel like it went well. I had some good friends come to listen to me, and that made me feel happy. Thanks guys! :)

Ashley, Audra, and I are in the Relief Society Presidency together. It's been fun to serve with them, and LIVE with them! I am so lucky to have such good roommates, they are just really good girls. They probably get sick of me and how opinionated I am about things, but I really do love them! Audra has a habit of signing me up for things I would normally say NO to. First, she signed me up to sing with her, Ashley and Tawni at devotional... really??? I don't sing well at all, especially in comparison to all of their beautiful voices. Then she agreed for me to be on a dating panel tonight for a mutual activity... WHAT!??!!? I know nothing about dating, don't be fooled by my age in comparison to everyone else in Thatcher... still don't know what I am doing in that area! haha! I really am glad Audra helps me get out of my comfort zone. I wish everyone could meet her, she is awesome! She reminds me of my mamma!

Oh and guess what!?!?!? I put my nursing application in yesterday!!!!! Now I just wait to see if I get in!!! I hope I do, I don't know if my pride can handle a rejection letter.

Life is good, regardless of that long list of what may seem like complaints... I am so happy to be here right now, and for everything that is going on in my busy life :)

Never Make a Peacock Mad

2009-09-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

There is a house of boys that I love dearly here, we call them the peacock boys for short, since there are 8 of them (Alan, Matt, Dan, Adam, Andrew, Keith, Greg, Ryan). They are great guys, and they are so funny! I met them the first night I was here, I am sure they don't remember me, but I remember them. I learned that first night that Alan is afraid of guns, and all 8 of them plus several girls still can't push Cortney's car out of the sand :)

This is the only picture I could find with MOST of them together.... yes I stole it from Keith's facebook.

(Greg, random girl without an appropriate shirt on, Adam, Dan, and Matt)

On Labor Day weekend, the town of Thatcher becomes nearly deserted. Sunday night Rhianna stayed over with Audra and I, and we had a slumber party!!! In the middle of the night, we decided we were going to pull a prank on the Peacock Boys, because they were also gone. How often are ALL 8 of them going to be gone... perfect opportunity right??? We wrote them a ransom note that was intended for them to get all their bedding back. We drove out to their house and turned around 3 different times. They still had SIX cars at their house and they were all supposed to be gone... so we were a little nervous we would get into their house and find someone sleeping as we pulled the sheets out from underneath them. So we made a last minute decision to just steal their grill. We thought we were so funny! The ransom note told them they had to deliver a GLUTEN-FREE dessert in order to get it back....

"thieves, the friendly neighborhood ones" or more commonly known as the BB's :)

So this is what they showed up with Monday night.... and Matt's words were something like , "what??? it's gluten free! Rice flour... and the rest of it is gluten free, I know it. See it even says desert!"

It was funny! I am glad they were good sports about it :) Last night however I learned to never play pranks on those boys ever again. They are not ALWAYS good sports. Cortney and I went over to deliver cookies, and school stuff to Matt. While there, we learned that their Love Sac had been stolen... they were not happy about it. Pretty sure all their ideas to get the people back who stole it were SO mean. For example: putting catfish bait under their car doors.... no big deal right?? WRONG! Apparently is smells like poo... Durning their hour of spitting out different ideas to get them back someone says "Lets just go throw rocks through their windows!" AH!! Never again will I play tricks on them, they had some really good, MEAN ideas to get people back...

Lesson learned: never make a peacock mad!

She saved my life....

2009-09-02T17:08:00.000-07:00

I nearly lost my life this morning. It started out like any normal Wednesday morning. I drug myself out of bed at 6:30 am to make it to my Chemistry class at 7:00 am, in my pajamas might I add... Tawni and I are in the same class and just happen to LOVE it when we get out of class early because this means we can walk our roommates to their Spanish class at 9:00! Well today was one of those lucky days. Audra was sick, so we walked Ashley to class. It was a HOT morning, but we still loved it!

As soon as we got home I raced to get in the shower, because I really wanted time to study at the library for my microbiology quiz at 11:00. However, someone else had a different plan for me. While showering, I went to grab my shampoo and found what had to be the LARGEST cockroach I have EVER seen in my life. I didn't want to instantly scream and wake up my dear Audra, who was sleeping off what may or may not be swine flu. I sat there staring at the massive creature thinking of what I could do... so I just yelled for Tawni (sorry Audra). I wrapped up in the shower curtain and she came and rescued me.....

SHE KILLED HIM!!!!!

Tawni is officially my favorite for the day... and my HERO for life!

Life back in Thatcher

2009-08-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy the last couple months. I moved home for the summer and worked for dad. He was able to take a lot of little vacations, leaving me in charge.... I learned this summer that I don't know how good of a manager I am. It was very stressful at times, and I know the stress I was feeling was nothing close to what Dad must feel at times. I am glad I did it though. It was good to be back home for a while. My social life didn't exist anymore, and I remembered how much I love to be a home body!! I don't know if that is a good thing. When I was there I decided I was coming back to Thatcher... WHAT!?!?! I really hated this place when I lived here before, why on earth would I want to come back???? I don't know, I just feel like it is a good place for me. I am happy to be back. I have survived my first week of school, and my first week of ever sharing a room or closet! hahaha!! I really have the best roommates. They are the sweetest girls, and I really do love them so much! We have lots of fun, and I laugh a lot. Here are just a few pictures from the first week here :)

THE ROOMMATES

This Is Cortney. I just love her. She lives in the apartment above us, and she is kind of like the 5th roommate. She is just wonderful and I love hanging out with her! She was the first girl that I met when I got here... Even before my roommates, Ashley and Tawni.

Audra and Cortney. I love Audra so much! She shares my room with me and she is an absolute sweetheart. She leaves me notes, and she is so kind! I am excited for this year!

Ashley!!!! I love, love, LOVE this girl! She is the other roommate and she is so funny.... I laugh all the time with her. She is so goofy, and acts like a nerd with me, and I think that is why I love her so much!

Tawni has beautiful curly hair. She is always trying to be a "nice person" I just don't understand where she got the idea that she is not. She is funny, and I really like her. NOTE: She is just being silly right here, her hair is not usually that out of control.

IDEA BOX NIGHT

Earlier this week we created our "idea box" This was inspired by my friend Jesse Pettit in Mesa. He did it when I lived there. It was a lot of fun. So we got everyone together and made it... it is going to be a fun sememster!

Nate (aka "Big Rig", Kenny, and Adam. Nate had some really good ideas:)

Random Happenings

KENNY!!! Monday was the first day of school, and I went to the book store and ran into Mr. Golladay. I didn't even know he moved here. So really I still don't even know him that well. I went out on a date with him earlier this year, and then never went out again because I started dating someone else.... or maybe he just didn't like me that much... hahaha!! We are having fun though, and I am happy I ran into him.

Meet Matt and Andrew. They got a hold of my camera last Sunday night. We had them over for a potluck and games. Matt was just visiting, but now has moved here! I knew who Andrew was because of last time I was here... He is tall and skinny... and just a strange funny kid!

Audra has a hula hoop... I was REAL bad at it... but I gave it a good effort. I would post some videos of the boys doing it, but I promised I would not.... but honestly they were so much better than I was... They put my skills to shame!

Hello Hawaii, Goodbye UoP

2009-06-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

MAY 28- This day resulted in the longest flight I have ever taken. First stop L.A., then on to Honolulu, Hawaii. There I would find, in baggage claim, a bird inside the airport among all the visitors to the island. I knew at that moment I was going to love Hawaii.

MAY 29- My fist official day on the island. I wanted to see everything, and I did see a lot. First stop would be the little town on Haleiwa. There I would visit Matsumoto’s and experience so very good shaved ice!

In the town of Haleiwa, there are a lot of little shops to visit… some are much better than others. For instance, we visited this little “shop” that had painted surfboards in the front yard. There is a family that lives there, 11 kids, and they perform music. We got our own little show- it was so fun!

I had my first experience of swimming in the ocean at Waimea Bay. I was a wimp. As soon as the water went above my neck, I had enough and napped the rest of the time on the beach.

I got to SNORKLE! I loved it! I felt as though I was watching one a Discovery Channel special and I was seeing the ocean floor, but with MY VERY OWN eyes! The water appeared to be very deep, but I would find when standing that is only reached about mid thigh, if that.

Sunsets are beautiful! No words to describe it… I only wished I would have dragged my rear out of bed to watch the sun rise!

MAY 30- I had always imagined having a very different experience at Pearl Harbor than I really did. I don’t know if it was the LONG 2 hour bus ride to get there that got to me, or I was just really not feeling it? It was good, and fun… just not what I ad anticipated.

Swap Meet was fun! Regardless of the blazing heat we had a good time. I bought a few souvenirs, and something for my lovely roommate, and then we were off to Waikiki.

This is proof how bloody hot it was. That is a sweat stain! haha

My bravery was commendable this day. The water was much more clear, and I loved playing in the water! It only took us 2 hours to decide on a place to eat for dinner, and we chose well! We went to this little burger place to find on of the nicest men. He was a “one man show” and did a very good job. The service was great, and who knew that he could make such a tasty burger J

Look how beautiful the ocean is!

MAY 31- Let me take a second and tell you about the people I saw in Hawaii. They are some of the friendliest people I have ever met. From the smelly people on the bus, to the people just walking down the street. Church was no exception. I went to Relief Society to receive a GIFT for being a visitor- a little rag, and a nice poem. After church I was able to go on a hike! It was beautiful! I wish we could have hiked all the way up, but it was getting dark.

JUNE 1- This day we spent almost the entire day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. I loved this place! It was the most money I spent while there, but totally worth it! I fell in love with a Fijian warrior, was fed some great food at a Luau, and was entertained at a fabulous night show. This place comes highly recommended by myself, I didn’t want the day to end!

The Fijian warrior on the right is the man I loved

Cousin Bennie- nicest man I met!

JUNE 2- Back on a plane back home. I was so sad to leave and wanted to stay forever. I fought tears to the airport, as lame as that sounds. It was such a good, carefree week!

JUNE 3- I came back to work, and told me boss I wanted to quit sooner than July 2^nd… so Friday June 5^th was my last day at University of Phoenix… That was a bitter-sweet day. I was so happy to leave that place, but so sad to leave some people that have been a big part of my life for the last 3 years. I am of to better things though! I am excited for a new adventure!!!

Tender Mercies

2009-05-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

May 1-
“Satan doesn’t care if we think too little or too much of ourselves as long as we are thinking of ourselves.”

For my birthday in December, Eric and Laura got me a quote/scripture daily flip calendar. This was today’s quote. How fitting! The last couple of days I have thrown myself quiet the pity party. I have been frustrated with things that always come up in everyone’s life, I am no different then the rest of you. Last night I had a bishop’s interview at 7:30. I arrived promptly, and I waited, and waited….and waited. I grew a little impatient after about 20 minutes of this. Finally the bishop opened his door, but only to say “Natalie, can you give me just a few more minutes, I am sorry.” So I waited about another 20 minutes before I was able to see him. When I saw him he apologized and told me that the girl that he had seen before had lost both her parents within the last six months just a couple months apart. How selfish of me to think of my time, when that girl has had harder trials than I could even imagine. Satan knows how to get us, and he does it anyway he can…I have seen this and experienced this with in the last month Even if it is something as simple as thinking of ourselves too much. Discouragement is one of his biggest tools, and he uses it every chance he gets. Anyway, I know the Lord is always aware of us in our situations and will let us know… Just as He did today in a simple little ‘quote of the day’

"She's a horrible person...."

2009-04-16T16:19:00.000-07:00

This week I was able to go work for my dad up in Eagar so that he could come to Mesa to be at Eric and Laura's sealing to Kacin and Kyler. We have been looking forward to this day for a long time, and I am glad I was able to take off of work so my dad could be there! I was excited to go for a number of reasons. Number 1: it is always nice to go home. Number 2: something about Eagar makes all my worries go away. Number 3: I really needed to get away from the University of Phoenix corporate garbage and remember that not everyone runs their business the same way they do and can still be successful and happy. :)

There have always been times that I can remember in my life when finding good employees has been a struggle, or just finding employees in general is tough at times. That is one of the reasons I was needed up there, dad doesn't have someone that he can really leave there to run the store. I love working at the store, I always have actually! The day started off a little stressful because one of the girls showed up almost an hour late, and the other one is still in high school and I think she is just still learning what work is. I was trying to make the best of it so I didn't get frustrated and chase the girls off. So I would find random things throughout the day to make me laugh.

Just after I got done eating lunch a woman walked in the store with an application to turn in. I was excited that there was a potential, prospective employee, and the hope of a good employee overjoyed me. You would think that after being gone for 4 or more years this would not be something that I would really care a lot about, however it is a dream I have that one day dad will have just one employee that is magical. One employee that works hard, sells a lot, and can be trusted so my dad can get a day off and have a vacation!! I didn't take but a glance at the woman as I took the application from her hands and searched for an available date to work, but found nothing. I looked up and asked her when she would be available to work- there I found a scraggly looking woman who sadly looked like she desperately needed a job. She told me she would be available immediately, and I told her that I would give the owner her application to look over.

I walked back to the office and I was looking at the application that had been poorly done. Half of it was left blank with unanswered question. Scribbled out words and numbers. I turned it over to see what kind of job experience she had, hoping to find that she had previous retail experience. I found what had to be the biggest laugh of the day. I feel bad that I used this poor woman as my entertainment for the day, but look at what I read under why she had left her previous job:

"She is a horrible person, no raises ever"

HAHAHAH!! I laughed so hard. I was completely struck with awe that someone would be that brutally honest about why they had left their job. Most people try to make themselves sound more capable and better than they probably realistically are.... Not this woman, she was just very honest and direct.... apparently she did NOT like her previous employer. :)

The Wheel of Pain

2009-03-31T07:12:00.000-07:00

This is my newest purchase. Only 10 bucks! I did it last night for the first time- my abs were on fire! They are definitely a little sore today. I plan on doing it everyday- I will get flat ripped abs eventually.... hopefully.... eh, let's just say I am not going to guarantee anything. Since it is getting warmer, and I won't be able to be outside I have been working on getting a little work out video collection and some little things to help me attempt to get in shape without passing out in the heat of the summer. I am excited for this new addition. I also bought a new Jillian Michaels video- she yells at you just like she yells at the Biggest Loser contestants! Wish me luck everyone!!

This is my blogging attempt to update this thing more.... is it possilbe it is just nonsense though?

Hate, Jealousy, and Envy- How'd I do Danica?

2009-03-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

I was kindly reminded, by Danica, on Tuesday that it had been quiet sometime since I had updated my blog, and allowed for my friends and family to be jealous of my life. Her statement went something like this, “You need to update your blog so I can hate how perfect your life is… because that is what you do when you blog.” So those were not the exact words, but that was the feeling.
I don’t even know where to start! Life has been busy. I will start off by saying that I have experienced true joy this week. I found out my neighbors are getting EVICTED!! YAHOO!! I am not sure if it is right to feel this kind of happiness in another person’s expense. They will be homeless, and I am overjoyed…. Sounds a little twisted, but I think it is safe to say that the last 2 years of living next to them (and more recently the last 2 weeks) has taught me how to NOT control my anger and frustrations. It will all be over soon though!! YAY!

Along with loving my job and sitting in a cube all day, I am in my last class before I apply to nursing school. I have not decided my exact plans, but this last class will allow me to apply to nursing school in Thatcher for January. Yes that is right people; I am probably going to be moving back to the place I once hated!! In the fall I will take another couple classes that will allow me to apply other programs here in AZ, just in case my plans change….. I finally feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It has taken a lot of time to get all the classes I needed for school.
In just a few weeks Eric, Laura, Kyler, and Kacin will be sealed as a family. I am so excited and happy for this. I always talk about how blessed I really feel our family (and also Laura’s family) have been to have these boys come to Eric and Laura. I just wish they would move back to AZ!!! I have had family on my mind a lot, especially in the last few months. I really have some of the BEST parents. They have taught me so many good things. They are strong people, especially my dad… and my mom is always so supportive of him. I see the husband and dad Eric is, and I know that it is because of the things we learned from our parents and their examples…..Thanks Parents!
On a lighter note, I am going to St. David today after work. I never thought I would say I was excited to visit a small village, but I am! It really is the closest thing to a village. The only thing there is some houses, a gas station, and a post office… they may have a little café. I was there last weekend, and I really liked it. I am going to go fishing on Saturday and just enjoy a town of no stress… it’s very peaceful there and I am excited to get away from the busy things that have been going on lately. I will try to be better at updating more often, my life can be exciting… and I am sure you all would love better updates- or at least Danica will :)

A few days of reflection

2009-02-22T09:22:00.000-08:00

I am in Thatcher right now. I came up for the weekend to bring Stuart my futon. He just recently moved into a new place, and they had a couch that was making him sick... So I brought him the futon to replace it! Mary came with me and we have been having a lot of fun!

I have been visiting memory lane, and what life was like when I used to live here. I HATED IT! I did not like living here at all! The feeling is so different now that I am back to visit. There are times when I wish I would have taken advantage of all the opportunities that are here. There are some things that I did like though....
1. They have a wonderful instiute program! The teachers here were amazing, and they was a lot going on for single adults. However, I did not take full advantage of it while I was here.... I did like the idea of always having something to do.
2. Everything is so close. We went on a walk yesterday while Stuart had his laundry in the wash, and I love, love, LOVED it! (I used to always get so irritated at Stuart when he would take the car and I had to walk- REALLY?? I love walks so much!)
3. Life is simple! Saturdays consists of cleaning the house, watching movies, and relaxing.... Ah, it was blissful!
4. TRAVIS! I love Travis!! He is the best girlfriend that is a guy! hahaha!! he is so FUNNY. He came over to Stuart's house last night, and we just laugh..... (sigh) I think everyone needs a Travis in their life :)

5. Jilebertos rootbeer!! I don't know what they do to that stuff, but I think it is safe to say that it is by far the VERY BEST rootbeer in the entire world! That is right people- THE ENTIRE WORLD!

It's been fun to spend the weekend with Mary Catherine. She really is a neat girl! We have not had many chances to spend a lot of time together. It has been a really good weekend with her. I am so happy that I have a roommate that has high standards, and reminds me sometimes that it's okay to have fun and act like you are 19 again!

This is me and Mary Catherine in front of the Red Lamp Mobile Park. I have always thought it to be a strange name for a trailer park where families live.... This is the only picture we got though! I really need to get me camera fixed!

How does he move like that?

2009-01-18T11:59:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday was Mary Catherine's birthday. After dinner and cake at our house, we went over to Scott and DJ's house to watch a movie. I discovered only days before at a bowling alley that my friend Scott has some pretty sweet dance skills. I laugh so hard when he dances!! So when we were done watching the movie I had Mary ask Scott to dance for her birthday- he agreed only if we danced with him... Luckily I got away to take a video, which might I add has got me into some trouble with him.... eek!! I will have this memory forever though- and I wanted to share it with everyone.... He does a better job when he doesn't dance on command.

Here Scott is being quiet the dance instructor:

Kart Races

2009-01-18T11:42:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago my friends Scott and Mark had a surprise for Mary Catherine and I. We didn't know where we were going, but we were assured several times that it was going to be fun. They were smart guys not to tell us what we were doing, otherwise I would not have got into Scott's car! They took us to this high speed kart racing place. It was SO much fun! I was not excited about it when we first got there, but I tole myself that I was not going to complain because thye had put some thought into it, and not to mention they were both forking out like $50 for us to have an enjoyable (or not so enjoyable) 15 minutes.... That's right people, $25 a person for a 15 minute ride! So I did not dare say one negative thing about it.... I tried to play it off like I was so excited, but on the inside I was a mess and just wanted to cry and go home!

There we signs posted everywhere that said things like "CAUTION: We are not responsible for injuries" or "You may catch fire" or "Death can occur while racing" So I had every reason to want to go home!!

Surprisingly enough it was SO much fun!! I even went back for New Years! Thanks Scott and Mark!!

Me and MC after the race! These expressions were probably exactly how we felt before we raced!

Mark, me, Scott

I am such a shortie!

MC in her race gear!

Thanksgiving

2009-01-18T10:57:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was interesting. I brought my friend DJ with me up to Eagar, and I don't think he made a very good impression..... okay, I KNOW he didn't make a good impression. However, I successfully made pies for the first time from scratch all by myself! I made an apple pie and also a cherry pie. I could not eat either of them, but everyone told me they were delightful- so I feel like I succeeded!!

TA DA!!! Beautiful Pies!!

Deej right before our journey to Eagar- note to self, he is not the guy to bring home to mom and dad!! EEK!

The Day Was Bound to Come... Lucky 7 tag

2008-11-15T16:55:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged... I always knew this day would come, here it is.

7 Things I can do:
- I can finally run over a mile without stopping and feeling like I am going to die (you would think I could run farther, NOPE, I am just not that impressive)
- I can do hair, I have my cosmetology license and I love it!
- I can make gluten-free food, finally, that tastes decent.
- I can consistantly ruin chicken when I make it at least once a month or more. I will always try to be creative and I end up just wasting chicken... or choking it down for days!
- I can make a coconut cream pie from scratch and make it taste like an omlet.
- I can watch The Dark Knight over and over again and not get sick of paying more than $10 to watch it at the theater.... I am going to see it in the IMAX tonight actually.... LOVE :)
- I can laugh extremely loud in Sacrement Meeting and not even realize it until it is FAR too late.

7 Things I can't do:
- I can't say the alphabet backwards
- I can't stay mad at someone or I will go crazy.
- I can't tell anyone 'no' when they need something no matter what I have going on.
- I can't manage to enroll more than 5 people into school every month and it irritates me every month.
- I can't find enough time in my day to do everything I want.
- I can't wiggle my ears or flare my nostrils no matter how hard I try.
- I can't stand having to change my turtles water every month.

7 Things I most often say:
- I am not gonna lie....
- GROOVY!
- I'm kind of a big deal...
- That's wonderful!
- Done!
- I'm gonna go with a big 'no' on that
- I have gas.....

7 Celebrity Admirations:
- Steve Carell in the office, this is my new found love
- Michael Buble: AMAZING voice
- Sandra Bulloch: for some reason I think she is beautiful!
- Rascall Flatts: I just love them in general.
- Bob Barker: I always wanted to kiss that man. I didn't get the chance, but I got to go to one of his last tapings before they ruined the show with Drew Carey.
- Matt Lauer... don't ask, I just really like him
- Leandro Barbosa: BEST FOR LAST! I love Leandro, and want him to be my husband.... He is beautiful! Ashley found out where he lives, I will be dropping by to visit. His girlfriend will be gone in no time and that is when I will make my move!

7 Favorite Foods:
- Soft Pretzels with cheese sauce
- Brownies
- ICE CREAM
- Pizza
- Vegetables
- Stir Fry
- All Mexicna food

7 people I tag:
- Ashley
- Sarah Pace
- Jessica Hunt
- Danica
- Kellyn
- Mary Ann
- Mari

Finally a Small Update

2008-11-07T17:24:00.001-08:00

I am officailly a HORRIBLE blogger!! I never update this thing. A lot has happened since I last posted. So this is going to be a VERY long post.... sorry.

I am sure everyone has been to the Arizona State Fair. Last year I went and you can bet it is SUPER lame. Not a fan by any means. My friend DJ asked me the last week if I wanted to go with him. I will admit- I had a little interest and decided to suck it up and go no matter how much I don't like it..... I HAD SO MUCH FUN!! I was surprised!!! Here is a picture from the fun night. Don't mind the fact that I look like I am not having any fun with DJ.

Too bad I don't like DJ- he is a very attractive man.

I almost got whip lash on this stupid ride!! haha :)

UTAH!!!!

My Dad and I went to visit Eric and his family last weekend. Laura was only there on Friday- she had to fly to Arizona for her Grandpa's funeral... We missed her, but it was good to see her at least for one day.

The first day we were there was Halloween. We flew in early in the morning and we went to the "Cornbelly Corn Maze" at Thanksgiving Point. It was a lot of fun. There was this giant "pillow" that you could jump on. That was the first thing we did. To everyone's surprise my dad even jumped on it with us!! I love seeing my dad be a grandpa. He is so fun! I imagine this is how he was when we were kids- I don't remeber much, but I bet this is how he was. If that is the case, he was the BEST dad. Haha! He turns into a 4 yr old right along with Kacin and Kyler!

BELIEVE IT PEOPLE! That is my DAD!!! haha

My camera broke after the corn maze, I was so ticked! So the rest of the pictures come from my handy phone- so they are not too clear. I didn't get any pictures of Halloween night though.... :(

Saturday we did a lot of fun things. I really wish my camera was working. We went on a BEAUTIFUL drive through the mountains. Oh how I love the mountains!! I love Mesa, but I sure do miss seasons, and the fresh air. I think this was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Sure the boys were yelling in the back seat, and Eric's driving made me car sick.... But the drive was AMAZING and we got out a couple times... Breathed the air.... ahhh! I LOVED IT!!!

BEAUTIFUL

My dad used to always have us pull on his pinky to pop it when we were little..... He is now passing the tradition on the the grandkids! haha This is Kyler having his shot when we stopped!

After the drive we went to Jason's Deli to eat lunch. I have to say that hands down the best thing to do with my nephews is eat. Kacin has to be the funniest person to watch eat. I took a couple of videos but I am not sure how to post them..... He is so funny!! We were eating at the restraunt for almost TWO hours- that is how long it took Kacin to finish HALF of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!! HAHA!!! I wish I knew how to load videos!!

Kyler eating... one of the many adventures we had... Yes, they were adventures!

That night I met up with Derek and Alex. I didn't take any pictures though- dang it!! We went to ice cream and a comedy club in Provo. It was so much fun seeing them. I miss them! They are such good friends!!

Sunday morning Emily and Nate came over for breakfast. We don't get to see them much so it was fun to see them. I really like Nate, I don't know him very well- but I would venture to say that Emily married a very good man. She seems to be very happy.... You can just tell by looking at her that she has got things together. Later Eric and the boys went to church.... Dad and I didn't prepare well so we went to Costco and walked around. We then went to the airport to fly home. I miss them so much already. It is hard to have them so far away.

Fooling around while waiting for Eric to shower

I could not figure out how to flip the picture.... I am sure it is something simple. But so is turning your head to the side to see it :)

Once again I have to say we are so blessed to have these sweet little boys come into our family :) I love Eric, Laura, and the boys very much!

Love for 2 boys

2008-09-24T20:10:00.001-07:00

Our family truly has been blessed by 2 sweet little boys. Kylin (4 yr. old) and Kacin (3 yr. old) are brothers that have been in Eric and Laura’s home since just after conference, in April, as foster children. I have fallen in love with these boys. They have so much energy! Some days they make me laugh so hard.

Today Eric called. Kacin got on the phone, "You're a headstart head Natalie!" he would say, and burst into laughter, as if it was the funniest thing to ever be heard by man. I did not understand it, but his laughter is contagious.... Soon I was laughing just as hard! Kylin got on the phone afterwards and did the same thing- and I still laughed as though it was the first time I had heard it.

I have learned so much from the short time I have spent with the boys. I am still surprised at the capacity in which I have been able to love both Kylin and Kacin. They came into our family 2 boys I never knew anything about.... and I love them as if they have been with us all along. I am so grateful that Eric and Laura have the chance to be parents and raise them. They have blessed our lives and I know they will continue to.

"I love you VERY much, Ky and Kacin!"

Kylin at the family reunion. The boys got cowboy gear from Grandpa Wade's store. Kylin LOVES being a cowboy!

I love this picture of Kacin riding the golf cart with all the kids at the family reunion.

We took a road trip to Grandpa Wade and Grandma Nancy's house.... 4 hours I was in the back seat with these guys- and they didn't sleep even once! I soon found that camera's and phone's are sources of entertainment! (don't pay attention to my beauty in this picture)

This is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE picture of Kacin. This was such a good day! We just laughed and played for hours and that is what I think of... happiness :)

The Catching of a Handsome WHITE man and a Spear

2008-09-15T19:40:00.000-07:00

Stanley is his name. He is a good friend to me. He humors me and lets me think that someone really does care about my little blog. I created a new layout with Ashley on Friday night- and it was so fun! I was very excited and sent Stan a text message first thing on Saturday morning, only to discover this morning (Monday, which is 2 days later) that he had not even taken the time to look at it yet!! I would have to say that I was somewhat hurt to find out that he really just amuses me and makes me feel as though this blog is just as exciting to another person as it is to me.... but sadly that is not the case.

He finally took the time to look, and I believe the email said something like this: "Nice job on your blog, but are you ever going to put other pictures up?" to which I responded, "I know! I just haven't taken any yet." So Stan was a gem and provided me with a couple that I could post and live vicariously through him.Apparently Stan can shoot a small little fish with a spear- I like to pretend he caught it with his own two hands, but that is not the case. If it was my story, which it is not, it would go something like this....

Stan took me up to the waterfalls this weekend! It was SO much fun to just hang out, laugh and play in the water. I have never been to a waterfall before, it was magical! Just like the stories I heard as a child. I believe the name of the movie is, "Behind the Waterfall" It is a Feature Film for Families- my mother loved to buy those when we were kids. If I remember correctly there is a Leprechaun and he helps some children find the treasure at the end of a rainbow... and it is behind the waterfall!! I don't remember much of the details, but I do remember how beautiful the waterfall was, and how funny that little man was!

Stan and I were playing in the water and there were fish EVERYWHERE! I have never seen so many fish in the water as I did that day. I was afraid one might bite off my little toes. I dared Stan to catch one... he said he probably couldn't. But I knew he could... as you can see from the picture he has very large biceps: he is a soccer player you know! After some heavy convincing he tried. It took only 2 times before he snagged one of those little suckers! He couldn't believe he had done it. He was so proud of himself like a little boy who had just got the training wheels off his bike and could ride on his very own.... it was quiet humorous to watch :)

Being that this is not my story, Stan was a little hazy on the details. It was something to effect that him and his brother took a spear gun and shot at fish in the water somewhere... My story is much better!!

Look at the biceps.... hehehe :)

Catch of the day... weak

Weekend with Travis

2008-08-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

I am going to attempt to add pictures somehow... not quiet sure how to do it yet... but I am going to try!
Last weekend Stuart and Travis came to visit. Travis was (and still is) one of my very good friends from when I lived in Thatcher. We always had so much fun! Every Tuesday night we would go to Circle K for hot cocoa... and Travis never missed a Tuesday- no matter how much I didn't want to go, he always convinced me to get out of bed!
Travis owed me a date when he got home from his mission... he has been home since December and it finally worked out. We had a lot of fun hanging out again! Friday night we went bowling... in matching t-shirts we had bought earlier that day. We made my roommate Mary and her friend, Jacob, wear our other matching t-shirts.... they didn't think it was quite as amusing as Travis and I did! haha!!!
Saturday we just relaxed and went to In n Out. While I was drinking my wonderful Dr. Pepper, Travis told me that if I was to drink a soda everyday in 3 months I would gain 20 pounds (Which I later figured out is a big FIB) . We decided then and there we would not have another soda until October 3rd, which is Travis' birthday.... Monday Travis called me, and you can bet that he failed! He is a wimp and couldn't do it!
It was a very fun weekend!!

Our matching t-shirts! :)

Me and MC!

Stu and Travis

Our last soda together... Yeah right... Wimp!

My first Blog!

2008-08-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

I am officially a blogger! It took a long time to convince myself I should be, but it finally happened!

My life has been full of changes and too many decisions that need to be made in the last month. Today my new roommate is moving in. I have not quiet decided how I feel about it. In the last 3 weeks, since Kendra moved, I have remembered all the wonderful things that come with living alone. Sure, Sundays are lonely.... but everything else has been absolutely wonderful!

Along with being without a roommate, I have been trying to find a new job. I finished my CNA class about 2 weeks ago, I just need to take my test! I am excited that I am back in school, I just need to get registered for the fall. EEK!! I am such a slacker sometimes.

I will try to keep up with this blogging thing... I am not sure how exciting it will be, or if anyone really cares... but play along, it's fun for me! And if nothing else I can trick myself into thinking that people really care enough to read all this! haha!