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About Natalie

I am a Jesus Lover, a wife, and a mother. And I'm making the best of what looks like a mess!
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Modem Down

I currently don’t have any internet access at the house. Our router/modem went down and it will take five days for AT&T to replace it. I tried to get my neighbor to give me her password so that I could piggy back on her account. When went to see her last night she was a little inebriated or had a few glasses of wine as she put it and didn’t know her password. I am doubtful that she would have known anyway, although she did give J and I full access to her office and computer we still couldn’t figure it out.

It’s been a little stressful around here (and not just because we don’t have internet access). However, today we were able to leave it all behind and escape to a foreign land for a while. At least that’s how it felt visiting Fossil Rim with my parents today. It’s a wild life rescue center and you get to drive through 1,700 acres of land feeding all kinds of exotic animals. It was the coolest thing ever. If you ever get a chance and are anywhere near the Glenn Rose, Texas area you have to check this place out. We had a blast!

J made a new friend.

And those are my children hanging out the van window.
Thankfully, the cheetah was in an enclosed area.
By |2015-05-14T23:15:49+00:00February 16, 2011|Uncategorized|2 Comments
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A Storms On The Way

Actually there aren’t any more storms expected around here anytime soon. We did have another no work, or school, or church day on Wednesday because of ice and that was fun, but today is super sunny and it’s a beautiful 65 degrees out. Amazing! So the only storm I am here to report is the one we are about to be cooking up in the kitchen.

A month ago my mom and I took on the endeavor of freezer cooking. We (mostly she, to be perfectly honest) put together about 10 meals ready to easily prepare and eat in a hurry. I didn’t want to say too much about it until I knew the results. Now that all of the meals have been consumed I can report that I loved it! I plan on doing a full length tutorial eventually, but for now let me just share a couple tidbits of what I am talking about.

The first thing I did was look up plenty of websites ahead of time, like Once A month Mom and Money Saving Mom, but in the end I did my own variation. Once a month mom does 15 dinners a month for various reasons and it made sense to me, so I wrote a list of 15 meals. Some were freezer meals, a few were not, some were new, others were classics that I know I can easily throw together.

The meals didn’t last as long as expected because some of our meals that were scheduled outside the home ended up cancelled because of weather or illness . That made our previous efforts that much more rewarding though because I was prepared for the unexpected! All I had to do was grab a frozen meal from the freezer and heat it up. The whole experience so far has been a success.

My mom is back in town, I’ve got my ten freezer meals planned, and now it’s time to go cook up a storm!
By |2015-05-14T23:15:49+00:00February 12, 2011|Uncategorized|5 Comments
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Same Kind Of Different As Me


Last week I said that I was going to start reading Same Kind Of Different As Me. Well, I did start it and finished it within three days. I loved this book so much I had to force myself not to read it all at once. The story is about “a modern day slave, an international art dealer, and the unlikely woman who bound them together” (to steal the words right off the cover).

The chapters alternate between the perspective of the two writers. It goes through the story of their upbringing all the way up to how their lives collided and were forever changed. My friend Tracy warned me to be prepared to cry like a baby and she was right. So now I am warning you in case you plan on reading it. The story is 100% true and is sure to challenge and inspire you.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the book is that most of it took place in the DFW area, so when they mentioned specific streets or landmarks I already have a mental picture and know exactly where they are referring to. One of the writers grew up in Corsicana which is right by where I live. I even photographed the Corsicana choir for their High School year book. One of the most memorable moments I had in this city was when I graduated from college. I went to Navarro college in waxahachie, but the ceremony took place on the main campus in Corsicana. Here is a photo of me from that day.

Unfortunately it was heart wrenching to hear some of the prejudice and injustices that happened in this area not that long ago.
Anyway, I don’t want to share anymore at risk of spoiling it for anyone, but go check it out. If you need to vent your thoughts with someone afterwards, like I did, I am available. I’ve already started on another book called Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel, but you aren’t going to find a review from me next week or anything. I will be taking a little more time on this one. The past three books I have read have kept me turning pages late into night and I think it’s time for me to get caught up on my sleep.
What about you? Have you been reading, sleeping, or neither?
By |2015-05-14T23:15:49+00:00February 10, 2011|Uncategorized|3 Comments
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Resiliance

Just got back from spending an uneventful afternoon at the hospital. It’s been two weeks since the pneumonia/broken collar bone incident. Z had a followup with an orthopedic doctor at the children’s hospital today. It looks like everything is healing up well. He doesn’t have to wear the sling anymore and in 4 weeks we’ll go back again to see if his bone is like new.

We’ve been trying to stay true to our commitment to regular family fun activities, but it was hard to be too active when Z was recuperating. Even with 2 weeks of “down time” we managed to roast smores in J’s makeshift fire pit in our backyard.
After that he had a little visit to grandma’s house which as I mentioned before was extended due to inclimate weather.
For super bowl we all wore our football t-shirts even though none of them were teams that were playing.

Then last night we made valentine’s cakes and gave one away to some friends.
So as you can see we are completely back into the swing of things and Z is operating at full speed. Now I just have to figure out how to keep up with him!
By |2015-05-14T23:15:49+00:00February 8, 2011|Uncategorized|2 Comments
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Postpartum Body Image

 

postpartumbodyimage

A few months ago I put  getting back into my prepregnancy clothes as one of my summer goals. Then last week I accomplished that goal.

Here is what I had posted online.

“I did it! I reached my prepregnancy weight. I could use some help in the tone and definition department, but overall I feel healthy and happy”

I am ashamed to say that just that short statement had to be mulled over and rewritten several times. First off because I don’t want to make anyone feel insecure if they haven’t met their personal weight loss goals, and I also don’t want that to be the focus of what I am all about. I didn’t want to sound prideful either. But more than all that, in my mind I was thinking about how imperfect my body still is and always has been. Can I really say with confidence that I am healthy and happy?Here’s the deal ladies and this is a biggie, I reached a number on a scale that I had in my head and it still didn’t fulfill me. I had a moment of satisfaction followed by feelings of insecurity. This can’t be it, I still have a muffin top in most of my clothes. I have cellulite, and stretch marks. I am still not satisfied.

It was in this moment (and by moment what I really mean is a vague underlying feeling) that I had to make a decision to be happy and healthy.

Paul talks a lot about contentment (1 Timothy 6:6, Philipians 4:11, 2 Corinthians 9:8) and being satisfied with what you have and where you are at.

You don’t have to be anorexic or a plastic surgory glutton to have a body image problem. Do you tear yourself down for how you look? Do you compare yourself to others? Do you feel discontent with your body more often than you feel content? Then you have a problem.

If this little blog is in any way a platform that somehow can make a difference then I will say unapologetically that I LOVE my body! I may need to be reminded of this when my weight fluctuates, or when I am around the modelesque girls in North Dallas, or when I am in my sixties, but I am committed for the long haul.

It’s not about pride or conjuring up some feel good statement. It’s about giving up that area of self pity and freeing up every part of me to be whole and focus outwardly in the truth of who I was called to be, a beautiful creation inside and out.
By |2016-04-12T12:02:53+00:00September 24, 2010|Motherhood|5 Comments
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Baby’s First Meal- AVOCADO

With my son I did his first meal by the book and I did have some reasons for that, but with his sister she seemed to be doing perfectly fine with just breastfeeding so I held out a little over 6 months before sitting her down to spoon feed her. Not only did I wait longer this time around, but I gave her avocado as her first food.

I was hesitant at first because I thought that you HAVE to start with rice cereal, but what I learned is that this is based solely on traditional practice and has no scientific evidence to support it. It dates back to over 50 years ago when people were feeding their infants at one month old. Since rice cereal is hypoallergenic it was the one thing that was well tolerated at this age. We now know that it was not the food, but the age that was conflicting. Turns out babies can do just fine for the first 6 months of life on breast milk alone (in fact they function best this way). For more information on this research you can check out this pediatric news article which is support by the AAP.
That being said here is a peak at SJ’s first meal.
If you use an Avent pump I highly recommend these Avent storage containers. They are BPA free, they freeze (and can be thawed in hot water just like a bottle), you can write on them, and they work with the Avent pumps and nipples which really comes in handy.
Avocado is a great first food because they contain carbohydrates, protein, and unsaturated fatty acid, all of which babies need and unlike bananas that have porous skins, avocados have thick inedible skin that protect them from pesticides or funguses that could be harmful.

On top of all that they are SO easy to prepare. No cooking or even blending is necessary. Just mash up the avocado until smooth and creamy, add breast milk if desired and you’ve got yourself some homemade baby food!


This whole avocado adventure was a first for my baby girl. It has taken some time to get used to, but she never once cried or refused to eat. It has also been a first for me in that I have never made my own baby food before. I now have a husband that loves fajitas, a son that loves tortillas, and a baby that loves avocado. Can we say “Tex Mex”?

This post is linked up with Alicia’s Homemaking and is a part of Try New Adventures Thursday. Check it out.
By |2015-05-14T23:15:52+00:00September 23, 2010|Uncategorized|11 Comments
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Look back and laugh Things Z said at 2

10398759_114688344699_6456199_n My son just turned 3 over the weekend.  I look back at the past year and having a two year old was certainly challenging, but he would always say the cutest things to make up for the hard times. Here are 10 of my favorite saying from Z-

1. “I was louding for you. Did you hear me?” (meaning he was yelling)

2. “I want Bud Light” (He used to call Buzz Light Year, Buzz Light, only he mispronounced it)

3. “I stopped screaming see” (as he would point inside his mouth)

4. I said “Z you melt my heart” and he said “no your heart’s right there” and points to this hanging on the wall

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5. “I don’t want style and I don’t want style on my head” (in regards to hair gel)

6. I am waiting for the Lion King (His response when a woman asked if He was waiting for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords)

7. “The baby wants a beer” (he pronounces bear as beer. When he thought the baby wanted a teddy bear it sounds like something else)

8. When he was trying to eat my brownie I said “No that’s mommy’s” and he responds “No, that’s chocolate”

9. “The cloud turn the light off” (When the room got darker because of a cloud blocking the natural light)

10. ” I’m dissapointed! I am SO dissa really pointed” (I guess he thinks disappointed is two words?)

There are so many others and I wish I could remember them all. Who knows what his newfound 3 year old vocabulary will bring. I am sure it will be fun!

This post is linked to Oh Amanda’s Top Ten Tuesday.

By |2016-08-02T08:50:32+00:00September 7, 2010|Laughter, Uncategorized|4 Comments
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I Was Wrong About You

My little 2 year old has quite the vocabulary, but sometimes he gets ahead of himself with phrases that he doesn’t completely understand, like “Just in case.” For example he says “Let’s watch Ice Age just in case”.

Just in case!?

Just in case you break the DVD and you never get to watch it again?

I don’t understand.

Or he’ll say “I want a banana just in case.” His other one is “I was wrong about you.” I think they say this in one of the Toy Story movies, but regardless he says it to me all the time in his squeaky nasally little voice “Mama, I was wrong about you.”

What I am beginning to learn is that I was wrong about me too.

When I was a little girl I said I would never get married. No one believed me and they would tell me someday you will meet a guy, fall in love, and you’ll change your mind. At 5 years old I was disgusted by the idea and DETERMINED to prove them all wrong.
Fast forward 13 years. I got married about as quick as I possibly could. So I was wrong about me, but what did I know, I was only 5.

I used to think that photography was not an art and would say that photographers were wannabe artists that can’t draw. Now I am one, but I said that in High School so what did I know.

About 10 years ago I would have told you that I was not interested in cloth diapers, or home birth, and was on the fence about epidurals.

Anyone that knows me knows that 2 kids later I am a cloth diapering fool, and natural birth junkie. So I was wrong again. But still, I wasn’t a mom yet, so what did I know.

I have always said I would never homeschool. I have dear friends that do and do it well, but I don’t think I ever could. Then again, what do I know? Although, seriously, I don’t plan on it.

So maybe next time I hear that little voice say “Mama, I was wrong about you” I can just say, “yeah, me too” just in case.

This post is linked up with Mary at Giving Up On Perfect She used to think blogging about your life was egotistical and not something she would ever get into, but as it turns out she was wrong too!

By |2016-04-12T11:14:46+00:00August 6, 2010|Uncategorized|1 Comment
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I Used To Be Scared

I used to be a scaredy cat. Have you seen the show Monk?

I can actually relate to his character. I’ve never been an obsessive compulsive neat freak, but my list of phobias as a child was not normal. Fortunately I grew out of these fears around the age of twelve.

Here are the Top Ten Things I used to be scared of…

1. Claymation
excerpt from December 2008 blog post “Christmas Movies”
“Ever since I was little the clay creations scared me. These days I can tolerate them somewhat, but I still find it all to be a little bit creepy.”

2. Sloth from Goonies

3. Jesus coming back
This probably had to do with some vintage rapture movie, but I have talked to many other people that as children worried about the hour of Christ’s return.

4. Heights
This included the upper level of the mall.

5. Elevators and escalators
Speaking of heights, these two methods of “going up” TERRIFIED ME. I was always afraid they would malfunction.

6. Crossing the street in Cincinnati.
I was born in Covington, which is just outside of Cincinnati, the city overwhelmed me. A trip to the city made my 7 year old blood pressure go up.

7. High School
When I was younger we would drive past a high school and I would become very fearful. I dreaded the day I would have to go there, like it was some kind of penitentiary. I guess when you’re small the building looks like it is the size of New York city and the teenagers seem so intimidating. With their crazy punk styles and rebellious attitudes. I knew I would never survive High School.

8. Driving
Most people look forward to the day they get to operate a vehicle I dreaded it!

9. Bees
I was/maybe still am allergic to bee stings. I saw My Girl in the theater when I was 9. At the end (spoiler alert) the girls best friend played by Macaulay Culkin dies from an allergic reaction to bee stings. I freaked out, and my dad had to carry me out of the theater blubbering uncontrollably!

10. Truck Drivers
I know this one might seem justified, but stereotypes aside my best friends dad and close family friend was a truck driver and he was a great man, but he scared me.

The reason I post this is because now my little Monk-like phobias are comical to me. I can remember the fear and at that time it was very real, very sensible, but I can look back on it in retrospect and see that I had nothing to worry about. I was safe all along. I wonder how many of my current fears are just as silly. It may be time to stop worrying so much and know that God is in control.

Check out Oh Amanda for more Top Ten lists.

By |2016-04-12T11:12:48+00:00August 3, 2010|Uncategorized|6 Comments
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Chick-Fil-Yay


This was our first year to participate in Cow Appreciation day at Chick-fil-a, but not our first time to to get free food from them. I have always been a fan of their waffle fries and lemonade, but I think they really stole my heart when I went through the drive thru with my yellow lab in the back seat and they had a doggie treat to give him! How thoughtful is that? I sent them an email expressing my love for all things Chick-fil-a, and what did they do? Send me a coupon for free food of course. I have gotten free food on multiple occasions when they are promoting a new menu item. At the end of last year I went on a night where you got a green receipt with your order, which was good to use anytime in 2010 to come back and get the exact same order for free (which I did). From the looks of the Life As Mom blog the San Diego area offered free dinner every night last week! Many restaurants have a weekly family fun night where kids eat free or if you really want to go all out you can be one of the first customers at a new chick-fil-a location and get free chicken for a year. I don’t know how they can afford to do so many freebies, but it seems to really be working for them. The best way to find out what is happening in your area is to sign up for the email or text insiders at chick-fil-a .com

We had so much fun dressing like cows. We got 3 meals for free and left without paying a dime. It definitely makes me want to eat more chicken.

This post is linked to Frugal Fridays at Lifeasmom.com

By |2015-05-14T23:15:54+00:00July 16, 2010|Uncategorized|5 Comments
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