serendipitous happenings

:rumblerumble: BOOM!!

2012-01-22T20:52:00.000-08:00

It finally happened.
We all knew this day was coming.
It took much longer than anticipated.

Lil D
Had.
His.
First.
BLOW OUT!

I was the fortunate one (really I was) Daddy was on duty and got to change him.
I heard him yell from the other room that he needed a sleeper, and he needed it FAST!

I got out there just as he was cleaning up the nastiness that went all the way down D's legs and up his back. And being the smart daddy he is he suggested that we give him a bath. Yes, it was THAT bad.

And now D is cuddled up with daddy on the bed watching Open Season 2, while I get to blog and get lost on Pinterest.

She Works Hard for the Money

2012-01-08T22:20:00.000-08:00

This past week I started a new chapter of my life.

Working Mom.

It's honestly not as hard as I thought it was going to be.
But that may also be because I was so busy fixing things back to normal I didn't have the time to miss D.

But I'm glad(?) for the change. It gives me back some normalcy to my life.

Gives me an identity.

I just hope I don't miss out on a lot of D's firsts.
Or I at least hope my MIL will lie to me if she sees is so I can be excited about it on my own. Ignorance is bliss right?

I just hope everything goes smoothly like it did last week.

It's getting harder and harder to live with my parents.

There's just too many people here.

All I want for my birthday is our own home.

More on that as it develops.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

2012-01-01T22:33:00.000-08:00

Ok, it's time for the cliched New Years post.
Your know the one, about how I tell you my life is so different than it was a year ago, how much I have changed and grown.

But this time, IT'S TRUE!

I still can't believe the blessings that 2011 had for myself and David. It all started one fateful evening in March. St. Patrick's Day to be exact. For a week or two before this I had been feeling sick but I chalked it up to PMS and what I was eating. Never in my mind did I think I could be pregnant. (we werent even trying and the timing in my mind wasnt right.) So I took a test that night to prove some people wrong. Guess who was the wrong one? Not me. When I told David that I had taken a test and it came back positive he was, well let's just say scared. I remember everything about that night. What I was wearing, where I took the test, how fast it came back positive, the disbelief that I felt, the need to get to urgent care and hear from the doctor that I really was pregnant buying prenatals, shaking the bag over the phone to my friend. EVERYTHING.

The pregnancy for the most part was easy, it wasn't until the delivery that we had any complications.

I can't believe that I have been a wife for over a year now either. God has definitely used marriage to teach me more about patience than I ever thought he could. I love my husband and we have our disagreements like everyone else does, but now I can't leave and go to my own house to cool off. It's his house too so we have to work it out and communicate more than we did when we each had our own space. And being pregnant that first year, talk about coach course in patience and communication.

Being a mom has taught me that my capacity to love is far greater than I ever thought it cold or would be. I always knew that I would die for my child's but no one ever really knows what that love feels like until they have a child of their own.

I hope that as 2012 goes on that I will continue to learn about patience and love. How to be a great wife and mother.

I'm looking forward to so much this year. My lil D will have so many firsts and expierenceing them will be nothing short of amazing I just know it.

The Day We Became a Family

2011-11-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

Tuesday October 18, 2011

I guess its best to start at the beginning, two days before on Sunday October 16, 2011. I was having some pain in my neck and shoulders so I told Daddy that we should go and get it checked out. I thought that maybe I was having some signs of high blood pressure and since that would be dangerous for you it seemed like the best choice.

So we got to the hospital at 2 a.m. and made our way up to Labor and Delivery. Once I got there they hooked me up to some monitors to make sure your heart was doing what it should and also to monitor contractions. They had me hooked up for what seemed like forever in that small triage room, and at about 6 a.m. they told me they saw some things that they wanted to monitor further and that I was being admitted.

Sunday went by without any real answers except that they saw your heart dip a few times and they weren't comfortable sending me home not knowing why. So they wanted to keep me there until at least the morning to see what else may or may not happen. They also did an ultrasound to measure you and to check the fluid levels. During the night while I was sleeping your heart rate dipped again a few times and when I woke up in the morning on Monday they told me again that they weren't comfortable sending me home and they wanted to keep me there for observation.

Monday was a little more eventful. They did an OCT scan to see how you would react to labor. They hooked me up to an IV and gave me some pitocin to stimulate contractions. This was an order placed by the high risk labor and delivery doctor since that is what this situation now was, high risk. The nurse that was administrating the test stopped the test before she was supposed to so that made the test inconclusive and meant that it would have to be redone the next day. So they told me to fast at midnight and they would do the test in the morning.

Tuesday morning came and the high risk doctor (Dr. W) came in to talk to me and explained what they wanted to see in the test. If your heart rate didn't dip at all during the test then I got to go home, if it dipped even once I had to stay for observation, if it dipped for two or more of the contractions, then they were going to deliver you that day. The day seemed to go on forever and the testing never seemed like it was going to happen. At about 3 p.m. I asked if there was anything that I could have for the headache I was having. Not having food or water for over 15 hours was draining on my body and not good for you either. So the nurse gave me a pain medication and as soon as she Dr. G came in and asked if the nurse had given me the medication yet. Of course she said she had which then meant that I had to wait another hour before I could do the OCT scan since the medication would make me sleepy and also make you sleepy. So I made the most of the situation and took a nap.

When I woke up from that nap the Dr. G came in and told me that since I had been fasting for so long that I should just go ahead and eat dinner since they didn't know when they would be able to get to the scan since they were so busy and the test requires on-on-one attention from the nurse. I was so excited to get to eat. But that was short lived, Dr. G came in again right as dinner was brought to my room and told me not to eat it. She also said that during the time I was sleeping I had a few contractions and that your heart rate had dipped yet again and she wanted to go over the tracings with Dr. W.

At about 9 p.m or so the Dr. G came back, she walked across the room and turned off the T.V. Inside I knew exactly what this all meant but I was so scared to admit it. Dr. G told me that her and Dr. W both agreed that keeping you inside me wasn't going to be beneficial to you. That it didn't matter if we waited another day or another week, your heart rate dropping meant you had to come out and you had to come out now. Dr G also told me that since you were going to be born before 37 weeks that you would be considered premature, a late term premature, baby and that there might be complications. The main complication she was worried about were your lungs and if they needed attention then you would have to go to the NICU. The only problem was, the NICU in Irvine was full and that meant you would have to be transferred to Anaheim. This scared me and broke my heart, I didn't want to be separated from you so quickly after you were born but I knew also that the doctors had everyone's best interest at heart.

So Memaw called your daddy who was having dinner and getting a shower at Grandpa and Grandma Harrell’s and told him you were going to be delivered that night and he needed to get back to the hospital.

I was shaking the whole time I was waiting for daddy and I shook the whole way to the operating room.

I got into the operating room at 10 p.m and I got my epidural and just waited a little longer. I waited for Daddy to come in and hold my hand, I waited to hear you cry for the first time.

At 10:29 p.m that's when I heard it. The most beautiful sound I had ever heard in my life. It was you. You had some lungs on you it sounded like which made daddy and I very happy. I remember when I heard you cry I looked at daddy and said, "I'm a Mommy." And he replied , "and I'm a Daddy." We both were crying even though daddy doesn't think that he did.

Since you were born early they rushed you to the NICU for a mandatory observation and your daddy went with you.

They checked your lungs and heart, and they were perfect. You were perfect. You didn't have to be transferred, which of course made everyone so happy and excited. I didn’t get to see you until 2:30am because I was in recovery. Holding you for the first time was amazing, it made me realize how beautiful life is, how miraculous God is and how crazy it was that just a few hours before you were inside me and now you were here. You made our lives complete.

It's My Turn To Be Brave

2011-10-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

Don't know just where I'm going
And tomorrow, it's a little overwhelming
And the air is cold
And I'm not the same anymore
I've been running in your direction
For to long now
I've lost my own reflection
And I can't look down
If you're not there to catch me when I fall.

If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave

Tonight's the night.

Not that night.

It's the night before my last day of work. I had honestly pushed the thought out of my mind mostly in part because I thought that I would be leaving on the 28th of this month, not the 14th. Last week I thought that I still had time. Time to prepare my classroom, time to prepare the families of my class, time to prepare the kids, time to prepare myself.

From what my boss has said I am ready. My classroom is in order and the parents have known this was coming. What I am not ready for, is not seeing those kids everyday. Sure there are days when I wonder why I do what I do. It becomes so emotionally draining to on most days spend more time with them then their own parents get the opportunity to. But, when I hear them say, 'Ms. Natalie, cake rhymes with snake.' Or 'G guh-guh like a guitar.' I can't help but think, 'Yes this is why I do what I do.'

I was talking to a parent today as she was picking up her son. I told her, 'As teachers sometimes we joke about how we are glad that we get to send the kids home each night. Especially after a long day.' And she laughed and agreed. But I then told her, 'But the more I think about it, the more I disagree with that. There are days when something happens with a child that we take home with us. Whether it's good or bad, and we go home and talk about it with our own families. So we never really let them go.' I know that physically we don't take them with us, but we take their memory with us.

The kids invest in our lives just as much as we invest in theirs.

The reality is, the next time I see these kids I will be a mom.

I think that scares me most of all. But I know that...
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave.

Sweet but not Prickely

2011-10-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

My lil D Man,
It's hard to believe that you're due to be here in just over 6 short weeks. I thought that this week I would make two lists for you.

What I Will Not Miss About Being Pregnant

Having to use the restroom too frequently
Having to sleep on my right side. If I sleep on my left side you kick me, a lot, because that is where you hang out. It's also not the 'best' way to sleep according to the pregnancy gurus. I also can't sleep on my back for the same reason I can't sleep on my left side.
Swollen feet.
Heartburn and Acid Reflux
The extra weight gain, although most of it is just you.
Waddling like a penguin, although my cousin Samantha loves penguins, I don't think I make a cute one.
Being able to stand up/sit down without it feeling like an Olympic event.
Not being able to breathe properly since you are pushing my lungs up into my ribs.
Having to wonder what you look like.
Crazy emotions.

What I Will Miss About Being Pregnant

Being able to be the only one to bond with you for the past nine months.
Feeling you kick/squirm/roll on the inside.
Having you with me all the time.
The mystery of how you came to be and the amazing thing my body is doing even at this very moment.

I'm sure that there are many more things, but right now my mind is fuzzy and scrambled. Comes with the pregnancy but I don't mind it as much as other mommies to be may.

Today is Daddy's birthday too. Don't tell him but he's getting really old. In two years he's going to be (shhh) 30! (gasp!) We were talking yesterday about how most people hate the idea of turning 30, but I think that he and I are going to be ok turning 30. We figured that before we both are 30 we will have been married (of course), started a family (that's all because of you D), and bought a home. Who cares if we don't have a ton of money, we will have each other and that's all that matters. Being married, having a family and a home are big goals people set up for themselves before they hit 30 and God willing we will have hit them all. So our life will be exactly where we hoped it would be. More importantly it's where God wants our lives to be. We are just fortunate that His will is what we had always hoped for. You'll learn more about that later on as you get older.

That's all for tonight. I'll have to get Daddy to take a picture later and then I will add it to this post.

By the way, the title of this post may seem off, but let me explain. You're the size of a pineapple this week. I'd like to think that this is a special week for us since pineapples are grown mostly in Hawaii and that's where I was born. Take a look at a pineapple and eat one too and then you'll understand the title. And did you know that pineapples are grown UNDERGROUND? Crazy I tell you, just crazy.

Love you,

Mommy

Oh How the Months Go By

2011-09-18T20:53:00.000-07:00

Darling Daniel,
It's so hard to believe that in just two short months from now you are due to make your grand entrance into this world. It seems surreal how quickly this time has gone by and how it honestly seems like yesterday we found out about you. I know that I must say that a lot, but believe me once you get older you will understand what I mean.

I'm still having a hard time adjusting to our new living situation. It's not what I imagined for you but I know that in the long run it is going to be the best thing for us as a family. A family, how strange is that to say. I've always had a family with my dad, mom and brothers, but now I have a family that is my OWN that I am making with Daddy and you (Goliath too, let's not forget him! :))

I have been keeping myself busy with things to do. It helps to have something to look forward to once a week. It seems to make the time pass by quicker, but with that quickness comes the realization that there is still so much left to do and makes me wonder if I will have the time to get it all done. One of my favorite things that I have FINALLY been able to 'introduce' you to is MVHS football games. You don't know this yet, but you're going to be a Diablo fan through and through. You'll bleed scarlet and gold. Daddy and I got you a onsie made see it right there? -->

Daddy and Mommy at a MVHS game with you.

The back says TACKETT, which is my maiden name and your Uncle Matthew's last name too. You're going to be his biggest little fan I just know it. (By the way, I think that he is very excited to meet you too. He has such a kind heart and I just know he's going to love you so much and be so proud to be your uncle!)

I should tell you that we will probably be spending many a Friday nights at the games. Perhaps even after Uncle Matt graduates. Who knows maybe one day you will be a Diablo too and we will all come and watch you do one of these things that you see here.

Playing in the band.

Or playing on the field.

Either way Daniel, we will love, you support you, and be proud of you. I tend to think that you will be musically inclined like your daddy. Did you know, well you don't so I will tell you, that he was the trumpet soloist for the Star Spangled Banner? He says that he gave up the opportunity to be drum major because he loved to play so much and loved to show off. (Perhaps he didn't say show off, he said something else, but I have scrambled egg-preggo brain and I can't remember what he really said.)

Yesterday we took you to the harbor to watch the boats and just relax. Goliath even got to come, I think that he really enjoyed being able to get away from the house and see new sights.

As a funny side story, I remember I had to beg daddy to get Goliath for me. Now that he's here and a part of the family I think that Daddy loves him more than I do. He was so proud to walk him and show him off to people. He had this strut and smile on his face that said, 'yea that's right, this is my dog. Isn't he just awesome?' And yes, you don't even have to ask he did his happy dance.

It makes me happy to see how proud he is of him, because I KNOW that means he will be even more excited and proud to show you off. It makes my heart very happy and it brings tears to my eyes. I'm so excited to see the Daddy you make him to be. He's always so worried he won't know what to do, but I know that he will and once you're here I think you will really help with his confidence in that.

Ok, so today at church. Man daddy thought this was funny, I on the other hand did not think that it was that funny. Daddy and I were sitting talking to a friends mom when all of a sudden you thought that I would be fun to stick your foot in my ribs. At least I am guessing it was your foot because this ball popped out of my right side and stayed there. It was hard and round. I told daddy that you had don't it and he jumped up and went over to feel it. He reaffirmed my suspicions that it was your foot but also told me that it wasn't just your foot that it was your heel. So we will go with that. Hopefully this is the case and you are head down already. I'm just saying that because I am short and you probably don't have too much room left in there to change positions later on. But we shall see.

My mid-wife says that everything during our time together has been perfect. I passed my glucose test with flying colors, the blood testing that they did came back in normal range, (she said that for most pregnant women it doesn't) and the best part, my weight gain is right on track. All in all the pregnancy has been pretty easy. Just the normal complaints of body aches and pains with morning sickness that wanted to come back for a visit but other than that I can't complain.

I'm planning on stopping work at the end of October to finalize all the small details before your arrival. Most people don't think that I will make it that far, but as you will find out Mommy is stubborn and I will do whatever it takes and with all that I am to see that I can.

One last thing, here is the most recent picture of us. 32 weeks along. You're the size of a head of lettuce, which you have been for the past two weeks.

8 more weeks my little D and I get to hold you. I'm so excited I could pee my pants. Which happens on occasion since you are sitting on my bladder.

Love you,
Mommy

Cool As a Cucumber in the Hot Hot Summer

2011-08-15T22:10:00.000-07:00

26.3

My Dear Sweet Daniel,
So much has happened since I last wrote on here. First and foremost here is the newest picture of us. And I should also let you know that you are the size of a cucumber. I'm not really sure how a cucumber is larger than an eggplant, but we'll just go with it. You are weigh about two pounds and are 15 inches long. Finally we are measuring you full size instead of your head to your butt. Which means you will probably get just a little bit longer and start to gain some serious weight. Well, at least another 4 pounds.

Currently I'm doing alright. I will admit that I have been crying a lot more and at what seems to be the drop of a hat. I blame all the change that has gone on. Daddy and I moved out of the first place we lived together, a place that was our own, and the place where, well we won't go there. It was really hard taking down the 'H' monograms that we got for our wedding and had hanging in the house. My favorite part of the apartment, the mantel thankfully I didn't have to take down. TiTi and her friend Susan did that for me because I knew that it would make me cry. Heck I cried when I took down some towels from the bathroom that had an 'H' on them. I think that the thought that you are going to be here so soon is getting to me too. I know that as each day passes that it becomes more and more real, and with that comes more and more joy. And with that joy comes more and more tears. I've never really been a crier either, so this is taking some getting used to for me.

The other night I was laying with Daddy in bed and Goliath was laying there between us and I started to cry. I know why I was crying that time, I realized how much I was loving that moment and how soon it would be you there and not Goliath. If I can love Goliath that much, I can't imagine how much I am going to love you once you are here. I love you already, don't think that I don't, but once you're here, I know that the love I feel will multiply 100 fold.

I also cried at church yesterday. You seem to love one particular song there, when ever the band plays it you kick and go crazy. It makes me happy that you already love being there. And as bad as this sounds my mind was wondering at church yesterday too. About the dedication that I want to have for you. Who I would like there, the food, and most importantly at least to me the songs that I want played. Songs that I think will inspire Daddy and I go be good parents to you and to encourage those that will be around you to be the best examples they can be of Christ to you.

Sappy perhaps, but I think its the start of the love people talk about that you can only experience when you are a parent.

Thats all for tonight, I can hardly concentrate with you kicking because of the Yogurtland we are both enjoying and the pain I feel in my back. A pain that I will gladly endure for the next 90something days until you are here.

Love you much!
Mommy

Eggplant Slacker

2011-08-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Sadly I don't have any pictures for you this week. They are still on Dad's phone waiting to be emailed to me. But, you are the size of an eggplant this week. I knew what one looked like, but I had never seen one in person that I remember until a few weeks ago when the kids at work painted with them. Don't ask.

I've finally been able to really feel you kick me from the outside. This really excites Daddy too because he can feel you more now too. I have to admit that sometimes I get a little mean and do things to make you kick. My favorite is putting my iPod on my stomach and playing music for you. It seems that you don't really care for Relient K, but you love classical sounding music. You went crazy with the Hallelujah Chorus and the title track from the Beauty and the Beast Musical. You seem to kick me when it has been a while since I/we last ate. I guess it's something that I should get used to since I hear boys really like to eat. (shhh don't tell, but your dad has gained all the weight so far, I haven't gained any. I swear I am trying to though!)

I do have a good reason why I haven't been writing/blogging to you. Your Dad and I decided after much talk and prayer that we would move. It's been a crazy time and blogging while on my mind has been in the back of it. It's just sad for me because this was our first home, and taking down the things that made it personal was hard. And I know that turning in the keys will be even harder. I just have to remember that Dad and I are doing this for all of us, and buying a home is the best thing we can do and in order to do that, we have to make a sacrifice. I will miss just having Daddy and Goliath at home, but I am looking forward to the day when we have our home and you are there too.

Sadly, this is about all that I have to say for tonight, the apartment is messy and my mind is in a million directions.

Mangue or Mango

2011-06-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

My Darling Daniel,

19 weeks 4 days

This week sadly I don't have a fruit to compare you to, you are still the size of a mango, or as the French would say 'mangue'. I think that introducing you to a little française is a good thing. I took French in school and so did your dad. I'll admit that I'm not the greatest at speaking or really understanding for that matter anymore. That's probably because I haven't been using it, so I lost it. Hopefully one day I can pick it up again and actually remember it. I will just have to use it, and once you're here I wont be able to blame it on pregnancy brain.

This week was a pretty awesome week. Last week I was telling you about how Daddy wanted to feel you kick from the outside and how I told him that even I wasn't able to feel you all that much even from the inside. Well, this Sunday on June 26 that all changed. I had just finished eating breakfast and had my hand on my tummy on the right side and out of nowhere, my hand MOVED! That's right YOU kicked me. I knew it was you because where else would that have come from? I told your Daddy to come quickly and when I was pretty sure you would do it again I had him put his hand on my tummy and HE FELT YOU TOO! He was so excited that he did his happy dance. :)

I'm getting excited to meet you. I can't believe that this Friday marks the half way point. I remember when we first found out how I thought 20 weeks seemed so far away and November even further. Now, it doesn't seem so bad. I will be honest I'm not looking forward to the California Summer with the heat, but it's not Florida with heat and humidity so I think that I will survive. I must pick my battles. It helps to think of things that are coming up to make the time go faster. For instance the 4th of July is Monday and that Thursday I have my next doctor's appointment. After that is a birthday party for Charlie and then Uncle Matt has his birthday. And somewhere in there we are going to throw a party in your honor. I can't wait. There really isn't anything again until August when football season starts for this year, but I love Friday nights at MVHS watching the Diablos play. I can't wait to hear the cadence letting us know the boys are on their way to the field. The season doesn't start to me until I hear that. I guess you can say I do my happy dance then. I'm anxious to see what you do in my belly with all that noise. But. I bet you're a trooper and will love it.

That's about it for this week.

Love you tons,
Mom

P.S.
Did you notice we took the picture 2 whole days late? You can blame dad. ;)
Oh, and Goliath is back in the picture too.

Hello Baby BOY!

2011-06-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a little strange, and yet also very exciting. No longer do I need to call you my dear fruit, because now, you have a name. So here it goes.

Dear Daniel,
Yes that's right, you're a BOY! Your daddy was so excited when the ultrasound tech told us you were a boy. He did his happy dance. I promise its just as silly as it sounds, and you will grow to love it just like I do.

This week you are the size of a mango. See, this is a mango. I've only really had mango when its in a smoothie. It amazes me how big it is, well how big YOU are. I still can't believe that I am going to have you in my arms in just five short months. It makes me excited and nervous all at the same time.

This week I have been able to feel you moving more and more. Most people say that when the baby moves it feels like a butterfly flapping their wings, but to me it feels like someone has a massager and placing it on the inside of my stomach facing out. More like buzzing I guess. It's definitely not something that I have ever felt before and I just LOVE that. In addition to the buzzing I have felt three 'pops' this week. TiTi says that its you kicking and that makes me even MORE excited. Your daddy keeps placing his hand on my stomach talking to you asking you to kick for him. It's sweet and its hard for me because I have to keep telling him that I don't even get to feel you all the time, so it would be hard for him to. But soon enough I'm sure you'll be making us gasp when we SEE you moving down there.

Daddy and I went to our monthly appointment and at this one we got to see you and even got some pictures.

I love the way I can see your toes. And I think you are going to have your daddy's face.

It almost looks like you are waving to us.

And you may have your daddy's face, but you've got my attitude it seems.

So, thanks for taking something from me. :)

18 weeks 2 days

Before I leave, I just have one last picture for you.

This is what we look like this week. Sadly Goliath isn't in here. I think the problem is we were TRYING to get him in the picture. It's when we don't try that he gets in there.

Stubborn just like your mommy.

Love you Daniel.

Mommy

Orange, Avocado, Turnip, and a Sweet Potato

2011-06-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

My Dear LO,
Mommy is a slacker. I haven't blogged in three weeks, so I will do my best to get everything in that happened.

you at 14 weeks

First off, when you were about as big as a naval orange

baked mac-n-cheese

(<----see) I finally got a little of my appetite back! YAY! But when I say a little, I really mean just a little. It was enough for me to be able to cook daddy dinner for the first time since, get this, FEBRUARY! So to celebrate I made one of his favorites. What is that you may ask, well since I love taking pictures I have a picture of just it for you. (--->)
We had some baked macaroni and cheese and to add a little bit more I put some chicken. It really hit the spot after not being able to eat for such a long time. Even now it's a little hard to eat but not as hard as it was in the beginning. Hopefully this pattern continues that way I can gain back some of the weight that I lost during the second trimester. (More on that later) since your daddy wants pictures of us every week I am sure you would like to know what we look like this week so here is your picture for 14 weeks and 2 days. (We normally take our pictures on Sundays thats why there is always the 2 days in there. Im sure you were wondering so I just wanted to put your mind at ease.)

week 14.2

Here we are! Of course your brother had to jump in the picture. He is such a camera hog. Ok well not really. When I try to take a picture of just him, he runs away. But when its time to take our weekly picture he has to jump in there.

So that was week 14, now its time to get you updated on what happened during week 15.

you at 15 weeks

During week 15 you were the size of an avocado. I happen to like avocados, but most of the time I just like to eat them when they are in guacamole. Which by the way your uncle Ryan calls baby poop. I guess at this point its a little appropriate, then again maybe its not.

week 15.2

Nothing really happened from what I can remember. I guess that is my fault for not blogging.

So here is our picture from 15 weeks and 2 days! Again, you're photo hog brother Goliath has made it into the picture. I know that the belly doesn't look bigger but I swear it has to be the clothes that I wear. But trust me, its getting bigger. Not only is my belly getting bigger, but my girls upstairs are starting to hurt really bad.

you at 16 weeks

During week 16 you were about this big, (--->)
the size of a turnip. Now what exactly is a turnip? I have no idea. All I know is what Wikipedia tells me and it tells me this:
The turnip or white turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa) is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, bulbous taproot. Small, tender varieties are grown for human consumption, while larger varieties are grown as feed forlivestock.

So there you have it. You are the size of a root vegetable. My favorite root vegetable to eat is a carrot though. I don't think you'll ever be compared size wise to one of those because they don't weigh very much and they are very skinny.

Goliath's first haircut

Ok now we are up to last week. Finally I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This week was pretty typical up until the weekend. That weekend your brother got his first big boy haircut. Here is an after picture for your viewing --->
Daddy said that I got a new dog and that he didn't even look the same. Yes he looks different, but he acts the same so we know its our fur baby. Since Summer is fast approaching it only seemed fair to get rid of the long thick coat he had so he would be more comfortable. The benefit to the new do is I think it shows his adult coat better and will really help it to grow in.

Now, during this week your TiTi thought that it would be fun to go GeoCaching.

My advice to you now is, if she asks you to go on a walk say no because before you know it she will have you walking to the pier which is 3.5 miles away and not the 1 that she had told you before.

By the time we were done with that adventure my feet and back were killing me and all I wanted to do was go home and fall asleep. Sadly we couldn't do that because Daddy needed to help Uncle Matthew with a project for school. I have a feeling that we/he will be helping out with that kind of stuff for a long time.

week 16.2

Alright here is our picture from 16 weeks and 2 days! Again, you're photo hog brother Goliath has made it into the picture. But I should put a disclaimer on here, the 'leash' we are using is a makeshift one. I had to find something to keep him close when we went on the GeoCaching adventure. Normally I would use the retractable one, but I didn't bring it because we were supposed to stay at NayNay and TiTi's house.

Lesson number 2 from TiTi, I should always have the leash.

Ok WEEK 17!!

Hooray we are all caught up. I am so happy. Never again will I wait so long to blog again.

you at 17 weeks

During week 17 you are about the size of a sweet potato
(<---) see! AWW! Isn't that just the cutest thing? Well, maybe it only sounds cute because it says sweet. But what does it matter anyways.

This week was a pretty fun week for the most part. Your Uncle Ryan had his birthday and he turned 19! It's hard to believe that I have been a sister for that long. I remember the day that he was born, I wore a shirt that said: "I'm Ryan's Big Sister". I actually still have that shirt, I can't bear to part with it.

Also this week I had my doctor's appointment to make sure you are growing right. Remember when I said I hope I can gain back some weight? Well, at the doctor's appointment the Dr. told me that I was down 8 pounds from the last time I was in. I told the Dr. that it was hard to eat because everything made me feel sick but I was taking my prenatal vitamins so she was happy about that. The best part of that appointment was Daddy got to hear your very strong heartbeat for the first time, 160bpm. Now, an old wives tales tell us this means you are a girl. We won't know for sure for about 10 more days, but from the moment I found out we were expecting you I thought you were a girl. Most people around me are guessing that also and a few people are guessing you are a boy.

Yesterday I went and spent the day with Jacob and Eli. Mommy has known them both for their whole lives, well Jacob his whole life minus 6 weeks. You'll get to meet and know them. They are both really excited to meet you. Jacob says that if there are two babies in my stomach that he wants one for his mom. I told him I don't think there's two and even if there is, I couldn't give them one but they could love on and spoil as much as they wanted.

week 17.2

Anyways, its time for me to go. Daddy and I are supposed to be at NayNay and TiTi's soon to go to dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory to celebrate Ryan's birthday. But before I go, here is one last picture. (see photo hog again!) And please excuse his potty that you can see. Daddy didn't get close enough this time.

Love you tons!

Mom

A Lemon Isn't Always a Bad Thing...

2011-05-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

My Dear Lemon,
It's honestly hard to believe how much bigger a lemon is from a peach. I had dad go grab me a lemon while we were grocery shopping so I could do some comparing. I wish I would have thought to take a picture of me holding both of them, but the idea just came to me, so you'll have to take my word on it.

I've always liked lemons, and earlier in this crazy time of my life called pregnancy I would eat lemons, well suck on them really. The sour juices really helped me fight against the morning sickness that I was having, and sadly still have from time to time. Hopefully it will keep the pattern of subsiding a little. I have another friend from long ago that is pregnant her name is Amber, and she told me that hers finally went away at 16 weeks. That means hopefully only three more weeks, but honestly it has been way better this past week than it was in the beginning.

Also, the past week I have been craving steak. Mostly steak quesadillas from Chipotle. I don't really understand this craving since before I never really cared for red meat, you'll have to ask TiTi and NayNay about that one. By the way, those are the names we've come up with for my mom and dad, or the Tackett grandparents. There's a funny story I'll tell you when you are older and can actually understand. Your other grandparents will most likely be Grandma and Grandpa and they are just fine with that. Anyways, back to steak. I've been craving it like mad. I had steak tacos on Monday, a steak quesadilla on Wednesday and then again on Friday! All from Chipotle. I swear, it will get to the point where I walk in and I am sure they will know what I want.

I think your big 'brother' is getting excited about you too. His name is Goliath and he's a small dog, we got him so we, and by we I really mean dad, can learn how to care for another living being. Never did we imagine that the practice would be so short. Here's a picture of mommy and Goliath, we were watching Harry Potter while we took this picture and it is still on as I type this, not that it matters all that much. Your 'brother' has grown so much since we got him too, it makes me think about how fast you're going to grow. But please, don't grow too fast.

That's about all I have for this week, but before I go I must show you what you and I look like this week. There's not much of a difference from last week but you just have to see what each week looks like.
<--- So this is us at 13 weeks and 2 days. Keep on growing little lemon!

Love,
Mom

P.S.
The weather today has been nuts, it was raining this morning when dad and I went to the grocery store, then when we came out it was sunny and right now, the wind is blowing like crazy.

Welcome to California baby.

And so it begins

2011-05-08T17:20:00.001-07:00

My Dearest Little Peach,
Today is Mother's Day and it's the first time that I get to celebrate as a mom. This week has been pretty mild with the morning sickness and headaches. Hopefully with us being one week away from the second trimester that things continue to get better. But I'll let you know how it all goes next week. Here is a picture of you and me at 12 weeks and 2 days.

Continue to grow little one we all cant wait to meet you.

Love,
Mommy

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Thankful Thursday

2011-03-03T23:14:00.001-08:00

This little guy makes life so cheerful. It's so fun to watch him grow and develop.

It really makes me look forward to having a human child to watch grow and develop.

Monday's Memory

2011-02-28T22:41:00.000-08:00

I bet you didn't know, but in the 6th grade I started playing the clarinet. I ended my clarinet playing career at the end of 7th grade.

I didn't have the knack for playing instruments really, I liked singing better although I haven't done that in ages either. But, that is besides the point. When I was in 7th grade playing in band I met two girls that I still know to this day. One was my Maid of Honor, Carrie, and the other is just recently engaged, her name is Mychal. I loved playing in band with them, they made it fun. Especially when it came to another friend of ours and her obsession with the trumpet player in the back. (No, it wasn't David, I hadn't even met him yet, although the similarities are funny.) Her name doesn't really matter to this story but I remember one day we saw the binder the school gave us with I <3 Dennis all over the back page. She quickly put white out on it so he would never find out, but sadly as we told her white out only works on one side of the paper.

Anyways, the girl that is recently engaged, she is entered in a contest to win a dream wedding. Now, normally I don't ask much but I am asking that you take the time and vote for her. I have provided the link to their page in the contest. It's a quick registration and you don't even need to sign up for the station to send you stuff. You can vote once a day for the duration of the contest. I think that she deserves this for so many reasons, but the main reason you can read on her page.

Happy voting!

Vote Here For Mychal and Josh

It's Funny How Much Changes In a Year

2011-02-27T23:09:00.000-08:00

So, I know that in my last post I said that there were a lot of changes, but all of those changes pale in comparison to the changes of this past year.

Let's start with the earliest thing that happened that year:

I got engaged, and this is my BEAUTIFUL ring.

I moved out of my parents house into an apartment.

I married this man.

And adopted this handsome guy.

All in all, I think that you can say that 2010 was the most eventful year of my life thus far. I know that it's been a long long time since I actually blogged, but I am wanting to change that. Hopefully this will serve as a way to store my memories.

Oh, and I am back at KinderCare.

Full circle eh?

So Many Changes

2010-03-13T16:17:00.000-08:00

A month ago my life changed.

I put in my two weeks at KinderCare.

And two weeks after that, I started my new job at Tutor Time.

It was really hard for me to leave the kids that I had come to love so much but I new that I had to do what was best for me and where my life was heading.

That's all I can really say right now. I had this whole profound post that I wanted to write when I first made the changes, but I waited so long that I forgot everything I wanted to say.

2009 review

2010-01-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

1) What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Fall in love.
2) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't really have one last year. This year I want to have a budget and keep it.
3) Did anyone close to you give birth?

Kelly had Selah, Alissa had Sarah, and Amy had Maddox.
4) Did anyone close to you die?
No
5) What countries did you visit?
None
6) What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
a budget that I can keep.
7) What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 10, May 24, and October 24
8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting to actually work in a classroom at work and plan curriculum.
9) Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got in an accident and had wisdom teeth pulled.
10) What was the best thing you bought?
Probably the things I got people for Christmas.
11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
A lot of people.
12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
There was some people, but they don't need to be named.
13) Where did most of your money go?
Bills.
14) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
David
15) What song will always remind you of 2009?
Feels Like Home
16) Compared to this time last year, are you: Wiser? Yes Healthier? Sure Richer?

A little
17) What do you wish you'd done more of?
Love
18) What do you wish you'd done less of?
Be upset at people who made me feel horrible.
19) How did you spend Christmas?
With David
20) Did you fall in love in 2009?
why yes i did.
21) What was your favorite TV program?
Glee and Gilmore Girls that I can watch on my own time
22) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word. but I definitely highly dislike them.
23) What was the best book you read?
My Sister's Keeper was pretty good
24) What was your greatest musical discovery?
I dont know
25) What did you want and get?
More friendships and love even though I wasn't looking for it exactly.
26) What did you want and not get?
I got more than I wanted this year.
27) What was your favorite film of this year?
Too many to name
28) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Had a party with my family and two very good friends a great way to turn 24.
29) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
none thanks
30) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Comfortable
31) What kept you sane?
David
32) Who did you miss?
The Moores
33) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Don't waste time on people who are mean and will never change.
34) What did you gain this year?
Love and Family
35) What did you lose this year?
Friends
36) Who was the best new person you met?
David Michael Harrell

Tomorrow Is A BIG Day

2009-09-03T22:24:00.001-07:00

As of tomorrow I will be debt free.

I'm so excited!

Must Have Done Something Right

2009-08-15T23:03:00.000-07:00

I have the greatest family, friends, and last but not least greatest boyfriend ever! Tonight I got to experience something I never thought I would, and that is seeing one of my favorite bands in concert. Well, it was a little bit of a concert but still I got to see Relient K LIVE!

Austin, Amy, David...

Thanks so much for a wonderful night! It was fun to be able to check that one off my list with you guys!

Me and Amy with Relient K!

Look it's Relient K!

Tomorrow... well today for you readers

2009-08-14T23:58:00.001-07:00

I get to cross off yet another 'to-do' off my list!

SO EXCITED!

RK here I come!

Here Comes Goodbye

2009-08-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

I believe everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go. Things go wrong so that you can appreciate them better when they are right. You believe lies so that you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself. And sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together. — Marilyn Monroe

Dearest Marilyn,

Truer words have never been spoken. It wasn't until earlier this week that I was able to understand those words for what they really meant. Life has been crazy, and while I am sad at the loss I had this week I am excited about the things the future holds for me.

You see, this past week I learned that a friend I made years ago is not the same person that I thought she was. Then again, maybe I am not the same person either and this was just our time to finally grow apart. It's sad though because her life is going to change dramatically in the next few months and while I would have loved to be there and be a part of it that will not be the case anymore. The friendship wasn't easy, but then again all relationships that are worth it you have to fight for sometimes. This just makes me realize that the times we had when things were right were amazing. Even though most people didn't understand why I would want to stay, I knew why I was and that was all that mattered. I learned that no one really knows who I am except for myself and people can say all they want, but I trust myself and those that are the closest to me. Again, that is all that counts. We had something special, that I don't question. Life is a roller coaster with it's ups and downs, but it's knowing when you get off that roller coaster that matters. And when you do get off, you just might find exactly what you were looking for all along.

Thanks for your words of wisdom Marilyn, I really needed them tonight.

Love,

I'm trying

2009-08-03T23:39:00.001-07:00

To remain calm and rational.

Its much harder than I thought.

What the blog?!

2009-07-22T21:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks David for my title.

Today has been a VERY productive day. Let me give you a quick run down of what happened.

Woke up.

Showered.

Made breakfast for David and myself.

Called the YMCA about retirement.

Made a decision that will make me DEBT FREE in about 30 days.

*this means I get to cross that off my 25 list.

Served some court papers.

Went to lunch with David and my mom.

Put up a gate with David at my mom's work.

Went to the beach.

Took lots of pictures.

*I posted one for you to see -------------^^^^^^^

Ran some errands.

Got some WonTons for at Pick up Stix.

Had dinner with my mom, Susan, and David.

Played Hand & Foot

*a very fun, and VERY long card game.

And then I posted a blog.

See productive.

Update

2009-06-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

So good news and bad news to report.

Good news is, David is FINALLY feeling better. The two weeks of sickness took their toll on him. Silly doctors didn't really know what was wrong with him.

Bad news is, I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled. Soon. My mouth hurts so much that I have limited myself to a soft food diet until further notice.

I think that David is the greatest boyfriend a girl could ask for. He came over last night just to watch a movie with me. Nevermind I fell asleep on him. Yea, hes just great.

This Week

2009-06-11T20:34:00.001-07:00

Sucks.

That is all.

Fearless

2009-06-08T22:34:00.001-07:00

"to me, fearless is not the absence of fear. it's not being completely unafraid. to me, fearless is having fears. fearless is having doubts. lots of them. to me, fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death. fearless is falling madly in love again, even though you've been hurt before. fearless is walking into your freshman year of high school at fifteen. fearless is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again...even though every time you've tried before, you've lost. it's fearless to have faith that someday things will change. fearless is having the courage to say goodbye to someone who only hurts you, even if you can't breathe without them. i think it's fearless to fall in love with your best friend, even though he's in love with someone else. and when someone apologizes to you enough times for things they'll never stop doing, i think it's fearless to stop believing them. it's fearless to say "you're NOT sorry", and walk away. i think loving someone despite what people think is fearless. i think allowing yourself to cry on the bathroom floor is fearless. letting go is fearless. then, moving on and being alright...that's fearless too. but no matter what love throws at you, you have to believe in it. you have to believe in love stories and prince charmings and happily ever afters. "

-Taylor Swift-

Feels Like Home To Me

2009-05-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

These past few weeks I have been spending more and more time at David's house. I must say, it is starting to feel more and more like my home too.

It's a nice feeling.

And if any of you know me really well, then you know that I have an unhealthy obsession with the song "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk. I finally have someone that makes me appreciate that song, and really understand its meaning. I have been waiting for someone like David to come along, and change my life the way that he has. Its incredible.

Anyways, I should probably go. I just realized while I was at my second home that I haven't posted in almost a week.

If you knew how much this moment means to me

And how long I've waited for your touch

If you knew how happy you are making me

I've never thought I'd love anyone so much

2009-05-24T23:32:00.000-07:00

Some day, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you...
And the way you look tonight.

Yes you're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
And the way you look tonight.

With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fear apart...
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
It touches my foolish heart.

Lovely ... Never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it ?
'Cause I love you ... Just the way you look tonight.

Mm, Mm, Mm, Mm,
Just the way you look to-night.

Excuse me, but has anyone told you...

2009-05-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

So yesterday at church David and I were walking to my car to go and get some bagels. We were walking by the Worship Center when this late/middle aged man stopped us and said,

"Excuse me, but has anyone told you that you two look really cute together?"

We both looked at each other and responded,

"No."

To which the man said,

"Well, I'm surprised because its true."

We replied,

"Well thank you."

Then we went on our way. We couldn't stop talking about it all day. I must say though that it brightened up my day.

Plus it makes for another great story to add to the David&Natlaie story bank.

And let's face it, the man was telling the truth!

(right?)

oh and

2009-05-16T18:33:00.001-07:00

Boo for stupid screws.

Boo for burns.

Boo for stupid curtains that didn't want to hang.

They made me cry.

but,

they are hung now.

They don't get a hooray.

BOO!

2009-05-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Boo on my PoliSci class.

Boo for 10 essays.

Boo that my teacher only picks one.

Boo for cleaning like crazy.

Boo for nothing fun to do today.

I Miss You More Than I Should, Than I Thought I Could

2009-05-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

As of yesterday, David and I have been together for a month. I know that a month isn't long in the grand scheme of things, but wow it sure feels great right now. I feel way deep down that there will be many more monthiversaries to celebrate and I can't wait.

25 Things to Do Before I am 25

2009-04-30T23:14:00.000-07:00

So as of today I have 365 days until I turn 25. Yes that means today is my birthday and I am 24. Go figure. Anyways, I saw this idea on another blog and I thought that I would steal it. It's exactly what the title of my blog says. A to do list of things before I turn 25. I will post them here that way I can refer to it as needed.

1. Take one friend to Club 33.

2. Ride the balloon at the Great Park

3. Visit the San Diego Zoo

4. Go to a Padres game

5. Read 10 books

6. Become part of a small group

7. Learn how to cook something new

8. Learn how to bake something new

9. Learn to play the piano

10. Speak French better

11. Go on a vacation without my parents

12. Be debt free

13. Meet with an Academic advisor

14. Decide on a major

15. See a Broadway show in LA

16. Walk the Walk of Fame

17. Go to Grumans Chinese Theatre and find Judy Garlands hand and footprints

18. Paint my bedroom wall

19. Use my Bruke Williams gift certificate

20. Attend a concert for my favorite band or artist

21. Create a painting

22. Learn to play my guitar

23. Read the New Testament

24. Visit my family on the East Coast

25. Ride on a train

Anyone that is up for helping me with these let me know. #1 is covered though.

If they are in italics it means they are completed.

Bold means they are well on their way.

2009-04-30T23:00:00.000-07:00

Facebook has some fun ways of saying Happy Birthday.

The top is my favorite, it's in Pirate. The middle is in French, and the bottom is in English of course.

My birthday was amazing to say the least. And Facebook stuff like that made it even better.

sugar, you are my candy girl

2009-04-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight I decided to bake. I haven't really baked in a while but I had good motivation tonight. I baked cookies for David who returns tomorrow after abandoning me for the weekend. I understand visiting your sister is important so he is excused. But anyways, I thought that I would be nice and bake cookies.

I ended up baking two kinds of cookies, Butterscotch cookies (courtesy of Amanda's dad) and the hybrid form of Snicker-doodles that Samantha and I came up with.

The Snicker-doodles came out a strange color, but I blame that on the fact that I probably mixed the chips too long. Oh well, I am sure they still taste amazing.

I have yet to taste either of the cookies. But Matthew and Samantha both said that the Butterscotch ones were good.

Tomorrow I will bake yet again, but this time it will be brownies with marshmallows oh the top. They shall be amazing.

Oh, and my birthday is Thursday. In case you are wondering seasons 2&5 are missing from my Gilmore Girls collection.

Smitten

2009-04-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

<------- Call me crazy, I don't really care, but my facebook relationship status make me crazy happy.

I started to notice to the other day that my friend count on myspace went down. I finally figured out who it was, and it honestly made me laugh. Apparently since I am not single anymore I am not allowed to be his friend. Whatever, his loss not mine.

BTW, my boyfriend rocks.

Everything, how could it be any better than this

2009-04-14T20:05:00.000-07:00

If you were to tell me a week ago that my life would be like it is today I would laugh in your face and think you’re crazy. You see last week was crazy, but crazy in a beautiful way although last Tuesday didn’t start out so beautiful.

Last Tuesday started like any normal Tuesday did. I had a conversation with Cody, and for those of you readers who don’t know I met him on eHarmony. I will admit to you right now that I did not join eHarmony under the right circumstances and meeting Cody I thought was a great thing. I thought that he was what I wanted. But that Tuesday morning changed my opinion of him. In about three seconds I lost all respect I had for him, and it was because he insulted my father. Called him a hypocrite, but then followed it up with his own hypocritical statement. Talk about lame.

Then later that same morning, my goal of making it until Easter without talking to Tim came to a crashing tear filled end. I got a text message from someone, and it was all numbers. Not knowing who it was I simply responded back with a ‘who is this?’ text message. That was quickly replied with a text saying something to the effect of someone not important. At that point I knew it was Tim based on a previous conversation he and I had about deleting phone numbers. As soon as I got that text I texted Amanda in tears, telling her what happened. She then told me that she had something to tell me that she knew would cheer me up, but I had to promise not to tell anyone.

That news was about David.

Yea, now I should probably back track to August of last year when Amanda wanted me to meet him for the first time.

For awhile I had been telling Amanda that I am frustrated with guys. There didn’t seem to be any around that were my age and going to church. The ones that were going to church and my age were already in relationships or whatnot. She told me that she knew this one guy that she thought I might be interested and then said that since he worked audio, that he already had a plus in my book. If you know me and the guys of my past you would find that statement funny too. So last August she told me to join her at Veritas which was the church she was attending at the time. And wouldn’t you know it, David wasn’t there. That is just my luck right? Big boo. So I just put it in the back of my mind. Yea the idea of meeting this guy that my friend says I would like is nice, but I can’t put all my eggs in one basket. The sometime that same year towards the holidays Amanda and I were at the mall after work and she suggested that we go to the Apple store. Um, if you know me and the job I do, I never look cute or ‘boy ready’, so I went with her to Old Navy and bought something simple and cute. We went up to the store, and I quickly learned that I had wasted my money. Double boo. Again, I just put the idea in the back of my mind. At this point I was really thinking that meeting him was NEVER going to happen.

Then a glorious thing happened. Amanda got engaged to Russ. This means bridal party. A bridal party is made up of your closest friends. I am one of those to Amanda and lucky for me David is one of those to Russ. Perhaps this isn’t so crazy after all.

Being the geniuses that they are, Amanda and Russ had a party for the Bridal Party. This was just to make sure that we all knew who each other were and to get acquainted with person we would be walking down the aisle with.

I always seem to get to those things before everyone else. I can be a little late and still be the first person there. Which in this case totally worked in my favor, I arrived at the party and there was only one person there that I didn’t recognize. Enter David. It was pretty nuts for me because all these thoughts that I had of actually meeting him had become a reality and I didn’t know how to react exactly. I think it’s safe to say that there was flirting going on between the two of us, but he was also flirting with another bride’s maid. (shame shame) I will admit though that me saying I was waiting for this guy to call probably didn’t help, but neither did him pulling out his phone talking about texts he was getting from a girl he hasn’t talked to in forever. I guess we were both playing the stupid, ‘look how desirable I am card.’ Then there was the frosting war where the flirting with the other girl amplified and I got SUPER irritated. As I was leaving the party, I tried to oh so slyly have David walk me to my car since it was far away and it was dark. I wasn’t scared I just tried to play like I was. Of course being the silly boy he is he didn’t catch on and I walked to my car very sad.

Nothing really changed for three weeks, and then I had that bad day last Tuesday that I talked about at the start of this blog. The news that Amanda had for me was that David was in fact flirting with me at the party. A fact that I knew, but I didn’t know the extent I guess you could say of it.

So all day on Tuesday we were trying to figure out ways to get David and I to meet again and to meet soon. I knew that I liked him, I don’t just flirt with anyone and I was really surprised that he felt the same way. It has been so long since someone has genuinely like me. I could almost go as far to say that David is the first. So the final plan of attack to get David and I to meet was this, my iPod. I told Amanda that I was having a problem with it, and I really was, since he works for Apple, it seemed all to perfect. Well hook, line, and sinker he bought right into it. And called WAY sooner than I expected him to which was very nice. So we made plans that same night for him to come over and fix it. But first he was going to dinner with Amanda so that they could get to know each other since she is marrying one of his close friends. Well instead of him coming over to my house later that night, I ended up going over there and that is where my life literally did a 180.

He told me all sorts of sweet things. Things that honestly I can’t remember verbatim all I can say is that I felt like I was in a movie. It just didn’t seem real at all. I literally felt like the entire world around me was gone and he and I were the only ones that existed. I swear the moment he put his arm around me I melted and I was finally able to hold his hand like I had been wanting to the entire evening. But being the lady that I am I waited for him to make that first move. It was too awesome for words.

We made plans that night to see each other again on Friday since we both had the day off.

So Friday came, but not soon enough for my liking. The day started early with me picking him up from the car dealership so it could be worked on. We had breakfast at the Corner Bakery, picked up my paycheck, went to the Spectrum and saw a movie with my mother and brother. Yup that’s right they crashed, and that is a whole other blog in itself. After the movie we picked up his car and dropped it off at my house, which was a mistake you’ll learn why later. Then it was off to Color Me Mine where he helped me paint a lovely mug. I know its super girly, but he took it like a man, so sweet. After that we had some time to kill so we went to a park near my house to just talk and have some ‘us’ time that we really weren’t able to get so far that day.

The park was another one of those conversations that I can’t fully remember, but it was full of everything that I wanted to hear, and needed to hear. So while we were there talking it was there that he asked me if I wanted to be in a relationship with him. I think I replied with the answer absolutely, which I will be honest I had been rehearsing since Tuesday. We really didn’t want to leave the park, it was nice and quiet, romantic even. We pretended not to hear our phones when they went off, but we soon realized that we should make good on the plans that we had already made for that day. We then went to Russ’ house and had dinner and watched ‘The Big Bang Theory’. The night ended with me at home and him driving off with a tin can tied to the back of his car. I was so embarrassed.

So yea, I think that about sums it all up. And since Friday we have spent every day together. Well, except today. Which was sad, but what can you do.

So yea, in one week I went from single and confused to taken and blissful.

Quite the turnaround if you ask me, but oh so worth it.

Ok this blog is long enough and I am sure that no one read it all. If you did thanks and ily.

Tomorrow

2009-04-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

I have this blog idea that is stewing in my brain. I want to write it all out right now, but I am going to refrain myself. If I write it tomorrow I can use the phrase a week ago, and it would be true. So being the slight OCD person I am I will wait. But have no fear, the blog will be here tomorrow for all of you to read, and comment. HAHA!

Fearless

2009-04-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

There is only one word to describe yesterday and how amazing it was. That word is fearless. I say that because of the song 'Fearless' by Taylor Swift. Every lyric of that song fits for the whole day. In case you want to know what that song says, I will tell you...

There's somethin' 'bout the way
The street looks when it's just rained
There’s a glow off the pavement
Walk me to the car
And you know I wanna ask you to dance right there
In the middle of the parking lot
Yeah

We're drivin' down the road
I wonder if you know
I'm tryin' so hard not to get caught up now
But you're just so cool
Run your hands through your hair
Absent mindedly makin' me want you

And I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I'd dance
In a storm in my best dress
Fearless

So baby drive slow
‘Til we run out of road in this one horse town
I wanna stay right here in this passenger’s seat
You put your eyes on me
In this moment now capture every memory

And I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I’d dance
In a storm in my best dress
Fearless

Well you stood there with me in the doorway
my hands shake
I'm not usually this way but
You pull me in & I’m a little more brave
It’s the first kiss, it's flawless, really somethin’, it’s fearless.

And I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I’d dance
In a storm in my best dress
Fearless

Thank you for the most amazing date I have ever had.

Uber Crazy

2009-04-08T23:32:00.000-07:00

That is the only way that I can think of to describe the past 26 hours.

And I mean what I say with 100% truth and honesty.

And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say
You're OK with the way this is going to be
This is going to be the best thing we've ever seen

If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I must've done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must've done something right
I must've done something right

Set Me Free (again)

2009-03-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

So a while ago I posted a video of the drama skit set me free set to the song by the same name sung by Casting Crowns. I think I also said that Ryan's youth group was going to perform the same skit.

Well they did just that last night.

So I thought I would post it for you to see.

Isn't It Ironic?

2009-03-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

So this last week at Church we sang a song in Overdrive. I had only heard it one other time before when Dave Upton was here as our worship leader. All of that is besides the point, just a little bit of background information.

So after Church I came home and bought the song Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly) By Sanctus Real. It is a GREAT song and one that I think that everyone should listen to. It's one of those songs that you listen to to help you get through hard times.

I posted the bridge on my facebook, because I just loved them.

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly

Gorgeous right?.

Little did I know that this last week those were the words I would need to hear many times over this week.

Work has been a little nuts. Our center has been over staffed so in order to get hours I have had to work at another center. Which is fine, I understand that hours need to be cut. But it seems like it's only been my hours cut. I know that its not really the case, but when it's happening to you, it feels like it is. I would just love to spend more hours at my center than another center. It's just felt crazy.

And then there is just other issues too that suck, but it's life and I know that I will get through it. All I need is prayer, friends, and of course good music.

dont laugh please

2009-03-04T23:26:00.000-08:00

But I am seriously becoming ridiculously lame.

I seriously check my email multiple times a day. While I know that's not particularly lame, the reason behind why I do might be.

When I am ready to share with the entire world what that reason is, I will post it here.

But rest assured, you just might laugh when you read why.

it fits perfectly

2009-02-22T22:13:00.001-08:00

minus the falling in love part.

Pretty girl is suffering,
while he confesses everything
Pretty soon she'll figure out
what his intentions were about

And that's what you get for falling again
you can never get him outta your head
And that's what you get for falling again
you can never get him outta your head

chorus:
Its the way that he makes you feel
its the way that he kisses you
its the way that he makes you fall in love

She's beautiful as usual
with bruises on her ego and
her killer instinct tells her to
be aware of evil men

And that's what you get for falling again
you can never get him outta your head
And that's what you get for falling again
you can never get him outta your head

Chorus

Pretty girl
Pretty girl
Pretty girl is suffering
while he confesses everthing
pretty soon she'll figure out
you can never get him outta your head

its the way that he makes you cry
its the way that he's in your mind
its the way that he makes you fall in love

Its the way that he makes you feel
its the way that he kisses you
its the way that he makes you fall in love, love

set me free

2009-01-25T20:27:00.001-08:00

intense much?

Dear Trixi,

2009-01-23T23:57:00.001-08:00

I will miss your face oh so very much.

Love,

Natalie

P.S.

Summit was amazing. Thanks for coming. Oh and dessert was amazing too.

the pictures are out of order, so so sorry.

The KSG dessert good-bye.

In the words of Meredith, "INAPPROPRIATE!"

My girlies!

Josh loves the sticker ball!

The Edge Sticker Ball that had to be wheeled in on an wheel chair.

Beauty in Walking Away

2009-01-17T21:06:00.000-08:00

A light shines off
In the distance
A pale flickering glow
How many times
Do I have to dream
That I could be there
The time is here
And she won't be
Waiting for me
To find the easy way out
I've lost count of the days
That were wasted

There's an answer
In the sound of a train
There is wisdom
Past the bridge on the bay
There's a lifetime
Through the fog
In the rain
There's a beauty
In walking away

I float on the streets
That are empty
Take the path
That the wind only knows
Tonight is the last time
That I'll ever be here

There's an answer
In the sound of a train
There is wisdom
Past the bridge on the bay
There's a lifetime
Through the fog
In the rain
There's a beauty
In walking away

It's never quite simple
It's never that safe
It never seems perfect
Until it's too late
It's never the right time
To find a new way

There's an answer
In the sound of a train
There is wisdom
Past the bridge on the bay
There's a lifetime
Through the fog
In the rain
There's a beauty
In walking away

I semi-recently found this song and I completely fell in love with it. The music and the lyrics are just amazing. And after the week I just had I feel like I am able to relate to the words in a whole new way. There are a precious few that will be able to understand what I mean.

I can't wait for the day when I DON'T feel this way. But until then I will love the song.

ive heard every album listened to the radio, wait for something to come along that was as good as our song

2009-01-12T23:41:00.000-08:00

We should get jerseys cause we make a great team
But yours would look better than mine, cause you're outta my league
And I know that it's so cliche to tell you that everyday
I spend with you is the new best day of my life
Everyone watching us just turns away with disgust
It's Jealously, they can see that we've got it going on

And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say
YOu're ok with the way this is going to be
This is going to be thing we've ever seen

If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I musta done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I musta done something right
I musta done something right

Maybe I'm just lucky cause it's hard to believe
Believe that somebody like you'd end up with someone like me
And I know that it's so cliche to talk about you this way
But I'll push all my inhibitions aside
It's so very obvious to everyone watching us
That we have got something real good going on

And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say
YOu're ok with the way this is going to be
This is going to be thing we've ever seen

If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I musta done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I musta done something right
I musta done something right

you know who you are, and i love you.

trying to put words into practice

2009-01-10T12:13:00.000-08:00

Remember that if you lose someone today, it means that someone better is coming tomorrow: If you lose love that doesn't mean that you failed in love. Cry, if you have to, but make sure that the tears wash away the hurt and the bitterness that the past has left with you. Let go of yesterday and love will find its way back to you. When it does pray that it may be the love that will stay and last a lifetime. We are all worthy of the kind of love we want, need and desire.

I don't know how you do it

2009-01-05T22:04:00.000-08:00

But you always have the exact music to describe how I feel.

Thank you again for your ears and new music.

Merci pour les souvenirs 2008

2008-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

As I sit here and I write tis final blog for 2008 I am in awe as to how much has happened this last year.

I never thought that this year or any year for that matter would bring as many joys, tears, and firsts.

The joys of this year were the engagements of friends, reconnecting with old ones. Emma getting healthier that ever. A great family opportunities for my cousin. My family's vacation to Hawai'i to watch Ryan play in his first varsity football game for Mission Viejo High, and getting my first brand new car.

The greatest sadness but also one of the greatest joys was saying good-bye to Kelly and Nathan. I know that them being in Mississippi is the best thing for them, and I know that God is going to bless them far beyond any of us can possibly imagine, but to not have them here anymore when it has been something that I am used to is sad. I am going to miss Judah and his little 'tude and I am going to miss Eliran and his fire hair. Thankfully I was able to spend a fantastic week with them before they left full of hugs, kisses, memories, and ultimately tears.

My Journey kids continue to astound me with their knowledge and desire to learn more. I love these kids as if they were my own and they encourage me to be only the best person I can possibly be. We just started our third book this year where they will be able to discover their S.H.A.P.E and helping them find theirs will be so much fun and rewarding.

I know that people always talk about how much they have change over the past year, and I am no different. I have changed a lot and I am so proud of the person that I have become.

I made two big changes to my life this year. Well, at least I consider them to be big changes. The first change was moving from the Extreme to the Edge at Church. While I loved the Extreme, I just felt like God was tugging at my heart to move upstairs to be with the 5th and 6th graders of my Church. The decision to move was the best thing I think I have done this past year. I have grown up there and I have been challenged. But the greatest joy was being able to greet my old 4th graders from the Extreme as they entered the scary world of the Edge. To see their smiling faces, receive hugs, and words of compassion are just too great for words.

The other big change was a change in job. I finally quit my job at the YMCA after months of mistreatment and just plain meanness. This new job that I have, I couldn't be happier. I love my co-workers, my bosses, the kids, the environment everything about it is just amazing. I wouldn't change a thing about it. I am forever indebted to Alyssa for helping me get this job.

Before I go I just wanted to post a few of my favorite pictures from the year.

Shawn's High School Graduation from El Camino

The Joy of Summer Spectacular

After Ryan's Football game in Hawai'i

My New CAR!

Samantha and the GIANT penguin

Me and the B-E-A-tiful ladies of the Edge

Celebrating New Year's

So long 2008!

Merci pour les souvenirs

I Celebrate The Day

2008-12-03T21:11:00.000-08:00

Is quite possibly my favorite Christmas song EVER.
Just read the words.
I LOVE them.
You can find the song on my new Christmas playlist. Please take the time to listen.

I Celebrate The Day
Relient K

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

Happy Birthday

2008-11-26T10:34:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again.
My pink shirt comes out of the closet to be worn again.
Just two days every year.

It's been almost three years and I still can't believe it.
Your legacy will live on in the hearts of those who loved you, and the lives you touched.

Education is necessary.

Never forget.

Josh Miller

2008-11-23T22:33:00.001-08:00

Thank you for your amazing blog posts that literally make me laugh out loud.
I am so sad that I missed your karaoke performance.
And I promise to update my Twitter more often just so you don't nudge me again.

Dear You,

2008-11-21T23:48:00.001-08:00

I appreciate you more than you know. Thank you for being there for me. For being my shoulder to lean on and having a sleeve to dry my tears.
Love,
Me

TWILIGHT!!!!

2008-11-20T22:30:00.001-08:00

Just me and some friends waiting for Twilight. Yea I'm just a little excited!

At 12:01 am

2008-11-20T08:44:00.000-08:00

I WILL BE WATCHING TWILIGHT!!!

That is all.

Fearless

2008-11-18T22:21:00.000-08:00

There's somethin' 'bout the way
The street looks when it's just rained
There's a glow off the pavement
Walk me to the car
And you know I wanna ask you to dance right there
In the middle of the parking lot
Yeah
Oh yeah

We're drivin' down the road
I wonder if you know
I'm tryin' so hard not to get caught up now
But you're just so cool
Run your hands through your hair
Absent mindedly makin' me want you

And I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why when with you I dance
In a storm in my best dress
Fearless

So baby drive slow
'Til we run out of road in this one horse town
I wanna stay right here in this passenger's seat
You put your eyes on me
In this moment now capture it, remember it

Cuz I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I'd dance
In a storm in my best dress
Fearless

Well you stood there with me in the doorway
My hands shake
I'm not usually this way but
You pull me in and I'm a little more brave
It's the first kiss,
It's flawless,
Really something,
It's fearless.

Oh yeah
And I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I would dance
In a storm in my best dress
Fearless

Yeah
I don't know how
Oh yeah yeah

Um, YES PLEASE!

More Than That

2008-11-02T22:01:00.000-08:00

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
"Girlfriend"- Alicia Keys

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"Time if my Life"-David Cook

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Bless the Broken Road"-Rascal Flatts

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"One Day"-Simple Plan

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
"Starts With Goodbye"- Carrie Underwood

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"Be My Escape"- Relient K

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"Mickey Mouse Club Alma Matter"

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"The Search"- The Kry

WHAT IS 2+2?
"All Creatures"- David Crowder

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"Find My Way/Finale"- Legally Blonde

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"A Perfectly Good Heart"- Taylor Swift

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Addicted"- Simple Plan

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"What Hurts The Most (Radio Remix)"- CASCADA

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Time Has Come"- Mercy Me

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"Way Back Home"- The Wreckers

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"Auld Lang Syne"- Relient K version

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"La Vie Boheme B"- Rent Motion Picture Soundtrack

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"All The Earth"- Parachute Band

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"Right Now" -PCD

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"You've Got A Friend In Me"- Toy Story

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"Endure (remix)"- Plumb

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
"Rent"- Rent Motion Picture Soundtrack

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
"The Fear of Being Found"- Blaqk Audio

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
"Life Uncommon"- Jewel

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
"After All"- The Kry

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
"I Told You So"- Carrie Underwood

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
"I Will"- SHEdaisy

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
"The Way To My Heart"- Mandy Moore

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
"It's Working"- Mark Wills

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
"Shine On"- Rascal Flatts

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
"More Than That"- BSB

TAG! I'm It!

2008-10-29T21:35:00.001-07:00

So after reading countless blogs about being tagged and the writers writing seven random things about themselves I, Natalie, was finally tagged. So here it goes, seven random or weird things you may or may not know about me.

1. I can memorize things pretty fast. Whether its a random fact, phone number, birthday, the twelve disciples, sixty-six books of the Bible, the 10 Commandments, it doesn't really seem to matter I will memorize it. I think I blame some of this on Ange because when I was in grade school she was my mid-week leader and had a list of things to memorize. When you memorized something she would give you a little reward thing and a candy bar.

2. I love music. The only kind of music I just can't seem to stand is rap. I love getting a new song for my iPod from a friend. The best ones are the songs that have helped them through a hard time and they pass it on to help someone else.

3. My room is organized chaos. I know where everything is despite the fact that it looks like a tornado came through. But the funny thing is, at work everything has to be in it's designated place if its not I sort of freak out. I guess that it's because its bottles and pacifiers things that if it went to the wrong kid that would be a bad thing.

4. I can recite from beginning to end The Wizard of Oz.

5. I have every single note that was ever written to me in High School. Even if it was bad and the person was telling me off. And from time to time I like to pull the shoe box out of my closet and read them. I can usually remember the incident that the note is talking about. I blame this on random fact number one where I remember random stuff.

6. I can relate almost anything to The Wizard of Oz. That is probably obvious, but I really don't care too much. I love how tonight at the 'Think Tank' I could relate the Follow lesson to the part of the movie where Dorothy is leaving Munchkinland.

7. Most of my friends are either way older than me or younger than I am. I think that this is mainly because my priorities are not the same as people that are my age. Those don't need to be said on this blog, if you are interested in what those reasons are then please ask me when you see me.

Now, I have to tag, and I tag
Kelly , Kaitlyn, my Mom, Alissa, the Edge, Ayla, Amber

Sometimes The Hardest Thing to Believe is the Truth

2008-10-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

It's a world full of cynics.
Who say "to stay alive in it,
you gotta stick with what you know."
But the soul is always aching,
for the heart to start taking,
a chance by letting go.
So let go, let go.
Sometimes the hardest thing to believe is the truth.

So here's a moment truth.
I think my heart has finally healed from last year. I honestly did think that it would take this long, but I am grateful all the same. Now I am pretty sure that my heart is ready to have feelings for someone again when the right person comes along. Or maybe with my 'luck', I say that because it never seems to work for me, its someone that I already know and i just see them differently.

And now for a moment of awareness.

I am pretty sure that everyone around me is involved with a member of the opposite sex. I could go down and list all the people I know and the people that they are in a relationship with, but that would take too long and most people don't know who all those people are anyways. And I'm not making this up either. I can though honestly think of three young ladies off hand that aren't in a relationship, but thats it.

It makes me feel lonely.

I guess it all sorta hit me when I read another friends blog and bulletin they posted.

I seriously don't understand how girls can just gloss over the good guys. I know a lot of them, and pretty much all of them are taken for granted. It makes me so irritated with listening to girls complain about not finding the right guy when the whole time the right guy is the one sitting on the other side of her listening to her complaints.

JM, I think you are awesome, and any girl that doesn't see that is lame and just not right for you. You'll make a great boyfriend to a girl someday I promise.

I know that I have probably done it too, but just UGH.

So another closing thought and moment of truth.
I'm a sometimes a cynic.
that says "to stay alive ,
I gotta stick with what I know."
But my soul is aching,
for my heart to start taking,
a chance by letting go.
So I'm letting go, letting go.
Sometimes the hardest thing to believe is the truth.

I Am So Over Your Drama

2008-10-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

Time
13. leisure time; sufficient or spare time: to have time for a vacation; I have no time to stop now.

Grace
8. Theology.
a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair
Relient K
Be My Escape

Thank you Austin for reminding me of this.

Ahhh!

2008-10-04T13:52:00.001-07:00

i need to learn

2008-10-02T21:55:00.000-07:00

To trust my gut and not what others say.

101 Things You May or May Not Know About Me

2008-09-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

1. I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii
2. My family and I lived on Oahu until I was 6 months old.
3. I have two brothers
4. I have no sisters.
5. I have 9 cousins by blood and tons more by marriage.
6. Only my paternal grandparents are alive.
7. I have 5 Uncles.
8. I have 6 Aunts.
9. I won an MUN poster contest in second grade for Children's Rights.
10. I am blonde.
11. I like to blog.
12. I don't have many friends, but the ones I do are more than anyone could ask for.
13. I've never had a 'White Christmas'.
14. I love texting.
15. I hate talking on the phone unless its for something personal/important.
16. I love to bake Snickerdoodles.
17. I'm a reality show junkie. Big Brother is my favorite. And I would consider going on it.
18. I love the Edge.
19. I have been an All STARS leader since 1997.
20. I work at KinderCare with some of the best people EVER.
21. I am only five feet tall.
22. I get along better with guys than girls.
23. My Journey Kids are the best thing to happen to me.
24. I can speak a little French.
25. I speak an even smaller amount of Spanish.
26. I want to go on The Amazing Race.
27. I have hazel eyes.
28. Gilmore Girls is amazing.
29. I still watch the Disney Channel on occasion.
30. I love the rain.
31. I hated thunderstorms when I was younger.
32. I have been in a boat, in the middle of a lake during a thunderstorm. Hence being scared for years.
33. I broke my left leg when I was 4 giving my dad a hug.
34. Three years later I got stitches in the same leg.
35. I was in the newspaper in third grade.
36. I remember useless information.
37. I like to remember useless information to look smart.
38. I enjoy reading blogs of people I don't know to see different writing styles.
39. I love Yogurtland.
40. I instant message too much.
41. I LOVE football season.
42. I spent the Millennium New Years on the streets of Pasadena for the Rose Parade.
43. Most strangers think I am still in my teens.
44. I love the Wizard of Oz.
45. It's my goal to collect anything I see that is from that movie/story.
46. I love finding music to fit my mood.
47. I love finding quotes that fit my mood too.
48. My hair color is natural.
49. Never have I dyed my hair.
50. I made a mistake and got a perm freshman year of high school.
51. POPS Senior year was one of the best moments of high school.
52. I've had one boyfriend.
52. Rollercoasters scare me to look at, but I cant help but ride them anyways.
53. I always have to have my toes painted.
54. I hate leaving the house with wet hair.
55. I sing at random times.
56. I dance at random times too.
57. I love taking pictures.
58. I don't like to be in pictures.
59. I have every season of Saved By The Bell on DVD.
60. Most Halloweens I have been Dorothy.
61. I went on Finding Nemo at Disneyland opening night.
62. I have seen Wicked twice.
63. I have seen Les Miserables.
64. I have seen Broadway's Beauty and the Beast twice.
65. From the above show, I saw the original cast.
66. I love change.
67. I love consistency.
68. People that flake bug me.
69. My cousins and I used to cut paper and sell snow flakes in the back yard.
70. I live in my grandparents old house.
71. Watching kids get a concept brings me so much joy.
72. People tease me for my height.
73. San Francisco Senior year of High School changed my life.
74. I will never forget the homeless woman named Beverly I met there.
75. I don't like sea food.
76. I hate wearing make up.
77. I like to dress up for no reason.
78. I had a pet fish named Pee Wee herman.
79. I had a dog named Mini Mouse.
80. I bedroom is downstairs, everyone else is upstairs.
81. I hate being alone.
82. I do enjoy going to movies by myself.
83. I won Year of a Million Dreams at Disneyland TWICE in ONE day.
84. I think that letting go is hard.
85. I find forgiveness is easy.
86. I believe a life with regrets is a life wasted.
87. I do everything to the extreme.
88. I love hard.
89. I fight hard.
90. I fall hard.
91. I'm stubborn.
92. I only have one true love in my life, his name is Jesus.
93. I pray and wait for my future husband.
94. The Road to Hana made me sick.
95. I love dark red for decorations.
96. My favorite colors are pink, white, green, and yellow.
97. Christmas is my favorite time of year.
98. I love giving advice.
99. Chicken sometimes makes me sick.
100. I have music ADD.
101. My life is amazing.

(un)Accurate Weather

2008-09-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

My computer has lied again. It first lied to me here. Today as you can see from the picture it tells me that its 69 and Sunny outside. I beg to differ. I thought for some time that I had heard thunder rolling in the distance, but I figured it was just planes. It didn't seem like there were enough clouds in the sky to be thunder. I was so wrong. The noise I thought was thunder just kept coming and getting louder. So I went up the the balcony from my parents room and saw that the ground was wet and thats when the rain started. I ran down stairs and covered all the patio furniture The before it would get too wet. I love the rain, so I'm excited that this time my computer was lying to me.

Oh, and there was lightening too.

SWEET!

Ok, I know this is my 100th post, and its a lame one. So I promise a super great 101 post.

99

2008-09-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

This is my 99th post.
For those of you who are smart, that means the next one is 100.
I need something fun to do with the number 100.
Leave me ideas.

Facebook Funnies

2008-09-21T22:59:00.000-07:00

thanks you

Thank you facebook for that wonderful compare laughing fit that lasted a good five minutes.

please oh please!

2008-09-19T23:07:00.000-07:00

I simply love this song.

For My Love
Bethany Dillon
Walk towards me
I want to hear
The heavens singing over you
When you breathe
And look at me
I want to be captured by you

Gaze into my eyes
And let me know you’d fight
Thousands, for my love
Slip your hand in mine
Ask me to dance with you tonight
Just ask me for my love

I want to hide
What’s deep in my eyes
I’m scared to be known by you
But when I turn my head
And see you there
I want to be pursued

Gaze into my eyes
And let me know you’d fight
Thousands, for my love
Slip your hand in mine
Ask me to dance with you tonight
Just ask me for my love

A dream I won’t wake from
A story that will never end
The ground your feet walk on
Let me be there, let me be there

Gaze into my eyes
Let me know you’d fight
Thousands, for my love
Slip your hand in mine
Ask me to dance with you tonight
Just ask me for my love

Gaze into my eyes
Let me know you’d fight
Thousands, for my love
Slip your hand in mine
Ask me to dance with you tonight
Ask me for my love

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love Ya Tomorrow You're Only a Day Away

2008-09-17T19:50:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow night will be amazing.

Edge leaders.
Chilis.

'Nuff said.

Needs a Title

2008-09-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

It's been almost two years since I sat with Michelle in her room and at the beach and wrote down these words. We even have guitar chords that go with it, but sadly I do not have those I only have the words. I liked the words then and I like them still so I thought I would share them with you.

When people ask me
Why I belive
In a God
I can not see
When people ask me
How I can tell
Its so clear to me
What I believe

How can you
Feel the wind in your hair
Rain on your skin
Waves at your feet
And not belive?

Why is is so hard
For some to see
How Jesus' love
Surrounds me
The giver of life
Looks down from above
And makes it so easy to believe

How can you
Feel the wind in your hair
Rain on your skin
Waves at your feet
And not belive?

How can you
Look into the night
The star in the sky
The moon when it shines
And not belive?

My Friend Is Better Than Your Friend

2008-09-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

Free music is only fair when shared!

Thanks for sharing your free tunes with me. They always go in a special folder on my desktop called music to keep.

FYI,
This blog is officially YOURS.

HAHA!

Just The Words I Needed To Read

2008-09-14T19:13:00.001-07:00

Do not make someone your priority when he has made you his option.

I've decided that I can no longer try to be your friend.
I wish that I could bring myself to care and want you as my friend but I just cant do it anymore. It hurts too much to want to be your friend.

I know, I'm lame

2008-09-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

Why you may ask?
Well I will tell you.

I just went to Target and bought nail polish...
in Scarlet and Gold.

Yea, its MV football season.
Sue me.

My Hero

2008-09-08T21:01:00.000-07:00

People like to ask from time to time who someone's hero is.
My hero is a little girl named Emma Grace.

For the family that reads this, you will know why.

But for those of you who don't, I really hope you will visit her blog and read all about her.

The most recent news of her getting her trach out makes me so excited when I think about it and almost makes me cry.

God is so amazing and this little girl is such a fighter.

P.S.
Mark and Alisa, if its possible when I finally find a husband I want to reserve Emma for my flower girl.
;)

Dear Natalie Tacketts,

2008-09-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
9
people with my name in the U.S.A.

I know that there are at least 9 of us in the world. Counting me that is. So if any of the other 8 of you see this please comment me. I would like to meet you.

Your Name Sharing Friend,
Natalie Tackett

As Promised

2008-09-01T23:01:00.000-07:00

I took my friend Sharon along with me to Hawaii. I told her that if she could fit in my suitcase she could come. And as you can see, she TOTALLY fit. ;)

A hui hou!

2008-09-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

For those of you keeping tabs, I am home from Hawaii. And just to let you know, I did in fact finish Twilight by Thursday, which meant that day I had to find a book store to buy New Moon so I would have something to help me relax on vacation and give me something to read on the way home. I only have about 100 pages left before I have to start Eclipse. But that is all besides the point. Here is a brief update of my trip as a whole.

Tuesday:
A blog about that day can be found here!

Wednesday:
We went to shop in Lahaina. We spent way too much time looking for a camera shop for my dad. He was given a sweet 4G card for his camera that takes photos twice as fast as a normal 4G card. Anyways, my dad's camera is too old to read a card that moves that fast. That was pretty much all that we did. Besides the normal laying around the pool/beach.

Thursday:
The Road to Hana.
Now I dont know if we went at the wrong time of year, or if its something that you need a tour guide for. We seemed to have missed a lot. We did drive and see a few waterfalls, blowhole and black sand beach. Nothing else too exciting. If you have driven the 600+ switch backs, and 50+ one way bridges tell me what you thought. I really want to know. I did get to the point where I was too hot so I dove into a cave thing with water and of course a waterfall. So since the drive to Hana is so long that was all we did on Thursday.

Friday:
GAME DAY!
We didnt really do anything Friday. Just stayed in the hotel and preped for the long night that was coming. I had it all planned to, exactly what I was going to wear. I had to show my Diablo pride with my red and gold colored tanks that I would layer. But, my mom was able to score me a Mission Viejo vs. Baldwin Bears shirt. So I wore that instead. I know that what I wore isnt important, but I just had to say.

As far as games go, this one was, I dont know. It was exciting to be in Maui watching the game, but the game was a 'Mission' game. The score by half time was 41-0 in favor of Mission. The second half of the game EVERYONE got to play. A major plus because how would it have felt to fly 2100 miles to watch Ryan play and not have him actually play?

Our hosts for the evening were very nice and threw a BBQ dinner thing for the boys and families. We stayed just long enough to welcome both teams in with thunderous clapping before we left and grabbed a quic bite somewhere else.

Saturday:
5am came way too early. My Dad, Mom, Ryan and I got up and headed out to a nearby harbor to board a boat to go snorkling in Molokini and Turtle Town. The boat fed us breakfast and a BBQ lunch. We saw tons of fish while we were on our trip. We saw a Frogfish, and the lady that was out in the water with us said that she had never seen one on a snorkling trip before and just when she had scuba dived. So being the ever so nice lady she was she dove down and took pictures for those who wanted them. I was one of them, lame probably but yea, pictures are what help hold our memories. We didnt see too many Sea Turtles while in Turtle Town. We saw more on the way home and took too many pictures there too. I did see way more turtles outside the hotel near Black Rock.

I went to Lids to get a hat after I saw the cool one that my mom got. I will have to post a picture of it, words wouldnt do it justice.

After a long day snorkling and being on a boat I seriously felt like I was on a boat the rest of the day. My body kept rocking forward and backwards like I did on the boat and in the water. While we were at dinner it was a laugh fest. Stupid things like my straw bobbing out of my glass and landing on the floor made us laugh. We all only ate one piece of pizza and bread. It would have been too daring to attepmt a second piece.

While we were there a little girl got hurt. We arent sure what happened, but we things that she pulled her highchair down on herself and cut her mouth. But the thud that we all heard was pretty scary.

Sunday:
Your normal day to go home. We packed and tripled checked that we had everything we came with and everything that we bought for people. Once we were sure that we had it all we decided it was time to leave. The hotel gave us all a Kukui but leis and wished us safe travels. We stopped off at a few shops to get some gifts before boarding the plane. I am so thankful that I had my book because the guy that was sitting a row behind me on the aisle like I was had 6 Scotches. Yea, most of the flight consisted of me rereading sentences that I had already read or missed an important detail that I would have to go back and search for to figure out what I read. He mumbled, and screamed strange things. Once the flight landed the old man, the one with all the Scotch, started asking me all sorts of questions. Where I lived, which I simply told him South Orange County. He then went on to talk about Mission Viejo and Mark Sanchez and his amazing game with USC. It was all I could do to not tell him that I have actually watched Mark play at Mission.

Anyways, we got home a little earlier than we expected and stayed up talking to Susan and Samantha before finally getting to sleep in our own beds that we missed so much.

So, now you should be all up to date with what has been happening.

Pictures to follow!

Aloha!

2008-08-26T21:51:00.001-07:00

We made it! We are officially in Ka'anapoli!

To start, we just made our flight. We had just finished with our security check when they started to board our plane. One good thing about checking in so late was our bags were some of the first off the plane. The flight was good, no turbulence really. I spent the whole flight in the world of Bella and Edward. That was probably the best way for me to spend the flight, I hate flying so I felt like I was in another world and not flying on a plane. On the rare occasion that I did look out the window, I was amazed. I knew that the sky was above me and the water below, but it was still hard to see where water ended and and sky began. So gorgeous!
Once we landed we were greeted with humidity. Who would of thunk it right? But besides that the weather is amazing and its super crazy to me to drive literally inches away from the water. And I was prepared for no waves, Austin had warned me, but seriously, no waves. Its like Mother's Beach. The sky did spit at us but just with a must and for hardly 10 minutes.

After all that I went snorkling with Ryan and two of his friends. We saw tons of fish, but the greatest part was the Sea Turtle! It was beyond words. To be that close to nature, it makes me stand in awe. It makes me wonder how people can see things like that so close and not believe in some sort of God. It can't just be an accident.

After some showers and changing we headed to Lahiana to spend some free time with the boys and grab some dinner at Bubba Gump which is where I am blogging to you.

Here are a few pictures from the trip so far.

Me and the ocean.

Me and my parents getting ready for dinner.

View at dinner.

Since I am blogging to you via BlackBerry, I won't be able to post lost of pictures or write a lot. But expect a full blog when I get back!

Check, Check, Double Check

2008-08-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

I have it all packed. I am so ready for my trip to Maui, and I know that I should be sleeping right now, but I am too excited to go.

Since the plane ride is going to be really long and I have ADD on them I decided to get the book pictured on the right. I have seen about, oh I dont know 1138409320480238402384 blogs about how awesome the book is, and how people couldnt put it down. I caved into peer presure and took the plunge. I am relying on all those blogs to be fact and I wont be able to put it down. Would it be possible to read it all on the plane? If it is that good I really hope that it will take more than the time I am on the plane to read it.

Anyways, I really should be trying to sleep.

Expect a blog when we land my faithful readers!

Aloha!

Just Like Clockwork

2008-08-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

Every single Monday by 9 am for as long as I can remember I get the same text from one amazing Fallon.

It always says,

"How can I pray for you this week."

I love Fallon and her heart for friends and family. I just wanted everyone to know about her awesomeness.

...and so...

2008-08-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house
That don’t bother me
I can take a few tears now and then and just let them out
I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while
Even though going on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again I pretend I’m ok
But that’s not what gets me

What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin’ to do

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I’m doin’ It
It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone
Still Harder
Getting up, getting dressed, livin’ with this regret
But I know if I could do it over
I would trade give away all the words that I saved in my heart
That I left unspoken

What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do

What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do

Not seeing that loving you
That’s what I was trying to do

This is exactly how I am feeling at the moment. If you know what I am talking about congrats, you are a step ahead of the rest. If you don't know and are interested you know where to find me.

Civil Forum

2008-08-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

So, I know that everyone and their brother will be blogging about this, so I might as well too. But first let me share some pictures with you from today.

On our way!

Tickets!

Together With Friends Before

Post Forum Picture

Ron Paul Supporters

So, today was pretty fun. I had a lot to do before the Forum. Like a getting a dress, haircut, I did my own nails. Just basic stuff like that. You would have thought I was going to the Prom or something. I was just so excited all day, and I seriously felt like I was annoying the people I spent my day with, but you know it was worth it and the even was once in a life time. And I even got interviewed for a Greman TV News Station, if you can find it anywhere, please send it my way.

Once I got inside, I swear it was All STARS central. Everywhere I turned I saw someone that I knew. Let's see I saw, Ange, Amy, Andre, Mandy, Mandy's Mom, Meredith, Liza, Josh, Bill, Jessie, Terry, Stacy, and TONS more that I cant remember.

Overall the Forum was good. Both canidiates said things that I agree with. Both McCain and Obama said things that I agree with and other things that I didnt. I wont get into what those are because I dont belive my political views are to be splattered all over the web. The way both of them answered the questions was very different, and that is all I will say about that.

I went into this Forum with an open mind. And I am not lying. I didnt know too much about either man, so I was really looking forward to see them in a 'candid' way. That pun was intended, and put in here just for Amy. It was something that I was thinking in my head during that interview that I did, I was so tempted to say it but I didnt want to loook like a stupid American. Anyways, as I was saying, I went into the Forum with an open mind and really hoping that this would give me the information that I was looking for in making my decision as to who I wanted to vote for.

And I got exactly that.

Civil Forum Update

2008-08-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

No longer will I be in Tent 2.
Oh no.
I will be in the WORSHIP CENTER!

This is so crazy.
The story behind it all is even crazier. And it really does deserve its own blog, and it will get it tomorrow.

I did start at KinderCare today.
Its amazing. The people are great and I am pretty sure that I will get the hang of things really easy.

YMCA < KinderCare

Awesomely, Amazing, Ange Angerson

2008-08-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, Ange totally deserves her own blog post.
She did a few amazing things for me recently.

1. She introduced me to Picasa, which makes my pictures look totally amazing and cool.
2. She introduced me to GoogleReader. No more wasted hours going through blogs that have no new posts.
3. She introduced me to the Post Options on blogger.

So Ange, all I have left to say is,

THANKS!

I GOT PICKED!

2008-08-11T22:30:00.001-07:00

HOLY COW!

Ya, totally freaking out is an understatement. I am SOOOO excited!

To understand what I am talking about, read two blogs down.

eeeeeeeeeeekkkkkk!

I Don't Know How It Happens, But It Does.

2008-08-09T00:33:00.000-07:00

Music is AMAZING.
I've been in a funk lately.

Music and tears have become my way of dealing with it all. Most of the music I have been listening to, has come from a friend.

It was music they were/are listening to, to deal with the situation they are in. It's music that is too good for words, and describes me to a 'T' and gives me hope.

Thoughts of him are coming back, and its not fun. I'm starting to cry, and I mean really cry, whenever I hear 'Invisible' by Taylor Swift.

Ok, that is all for now.

Saddleback Civil Forum

2008-08-07T15:50:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I am a bit of a blog idea stealer. But I think that is what makes me so great.

Well, I really didnt steal a blog idea, just a picture really. Thanks Ange!

Anyways, I got a wonderful email from my Pastor last night. Finally some information about the Civil Forum with the Presidential canidates was announced.

I was very excited to see that there would be some free tickets available in the video venues for a select group of people, along with other information about the drawings for other seats. It said this about the drawings:

DRAWING A: For FREE seats in Video Venues (Refinery, Tent 2, and Tent 3)

DRAWING B: Charter members who joined between 1980-84, Small Group Hosts, and Volunteers who serve in childrens or student ministries may apply for the drawing of FREE seats in the worship center.

DRAWING C: To buy a $500 Bleacher seat in the Worship Center.

DRAWING D: To buy a $1,000 Angled Floor seat in the Worship Center.

DRAWING E: To buy a $2,000 Front Center seat in the Worship Center.

The two that are in italics are the two drawings that I have entered myself into. I know that the possibility of me getting a ticked is still very small considering that there are MANY people that fall into those two groups. But its better than putting my name in a drawing with 23,000 people.

In other news, Summer Spectacular was AMAZING! This is a picture that we (Lynn, Me, Gretchin, Amy, and Jodi) took on the last day. I dont know if we are:

Jumping for joy that Summer Spectacular is so, well Spectacular.
Jump, jump, jumping into the light, light, light.
Jumping for fun costumes.
Jumping for joy that Summer Spectacular is over, no matter how spectacular it is.

Hawaii is soon. I am so excited for it now.

How funny is it that my friend and I will be on vacation at the same time? Well, not only on vacation at the same time, but in the same state. Not just in the same state though, on the same island. Even better than the same island, the same resort.

Ya, the world is small.

Yes Please

2008-08-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

[[a guy who will throw rocks at my window at 2 AM & ask me to watch the stars with him]]
[[a guy who will give me one of those plastic vending machine rings,and ask me to marry him]]
[[a guy who will kiss me in the rain]]
[[a guy who will call me just to say ''i love u'']]
[[a guy who will kiss me while watching the sunset]]

[[a guy who will walk on the beach while holding hands]]
[[a guy who will name a star after me]]
[[a guy who will love me for who i am]]
[[a guy who will date me no matter what anyone says,even if his best friends hate me.]]
[[a guy who will stand up for me]]
[[& i will never stop looking for this guy]]

A Typical Sunday + Kyle Loza

2008-08-03T23:44:00.000-07:00

So today was a pretty typical Sunday.
I woke up. Got ready for Church and left for Church around 8:20ish.
So I get to church and I thought that Greg was supposed to be there so I went to the Worship Center. After I sat down and opened my bulletin I found out that it was Tom speaking. I have nothing against Tom, but I just want to be in the same room ad Greg Lauri. Anyways, I love the music in Overdrive so I went down there for service like I normally would on a Sunday.
So service starts and all it going like normal. Then the pastor for Overdrive comes on the stage to make some announcements. I noticed, and I am sure that others did also, that he had something strange around his neck.
Ya it was Kyle Loza's Gold Medal from the X-Games!
I was so shocked.
Let me be honest right now, I had no idea who he was up until about Thursday night when a customer from work was talking about going to the X-Games later that night and talking about the people that would be there.
So that night I went home and googled stuff about it because I thought that it would be interesting. I also read Bethany's blog and how Kyle had won a Gold Medal for his trick called 'Electric Doom'.
Anyways, when I read the blog I found out that Kyle is a local, from Trabuco Canyon. Not only that but he practices in 'the pit' at my church. I guess it would be better to say our church huh?
Ok, back to my story.
The Overdrive pastor pulled Kyle up on stage and we all got to clap for him.
Kyle then made the comment that the pastor got to wear the medal before he did, so the pastor then took it off and placed it around Kyle's neck.
Such a cool moment and truely something that is once in a lifetime to see.
And I should also add that this happened less than ten feet away from where I was sitting.

Here is a video of the trick that won the medal.

I should also add that Kyle is an amazing man of Christ. Such an example to so many people, and the lives he wins for Christ through Riders 4 Christ, and just everything else is so cool.

And as I write this, I just remembered that a few years ago Break Out did a Santa Ana family day and Riders 4 Christ were there.

Strange how small the world is and how fast time flies.

Costumes, Headaches, Tan Lines, New Friends, and Memories

2008-08-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

Despite the pain that I am in, today this I had an amazing week.
I can say with all honesty that this week was the best week at Summer Spectacular that I have ever had.
I think that I took about 100 pictured each day, except today. Today my camera went with a crew and Matellica.

I have a headache from the music of Brandon + and the Band.
I have a pretty sweet tan line on my feet from my sandles.
I have new friends on facebok and soon myspace.
And I have made memories to last a life time.

Hooray for Holywood!

2008-07-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit Josh Miller

So our service project for this year is called 'Change 4

Change'.

We are raising money locally and also globaly. The grades are in a a race to see who is able to raise the most money. Yesterday the 6th graders won by $2.23, today the 5th graders won by a whopping $60! The kids have raised tons of money. I dont remember the exact total, and I am sure that Josh will remember and tell me in a comment.

This is me with Josh and Gretching hanging out during crafts.

Craziest thing about today is definitly the earthquake when we were at games. I dont think the kids playing the game felt it, but those of us standing around watching them sure did.

December 10, 2007 Update

2008-07-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

So not on this blog, but on my myspace I wrote a blog on December 10.

In that blog I wrote that I was giving up on someone.

Not a friend, but the idea that a relationship would come from that friendship. Call me crazy, but I tend to fall for my friends because getting to know them and all the little details about them, there is just something about it.

I thought that since it has been a little over seven months I should update the world wide web on the condition of my heart. My cousin hoped that it would get better soon. I'm not exactly sure what better is, but I am pretty sure that I am getting there.

My heart still skips a beat sometimes when I see them. But I am getting better at saying hi and letting it just be that. I can't allow my heart to go back to its old feelings. I have worked so hard to get to where I am today. Although I must say this person being rude for a bit helped in that area. Lately though this person coming back around to their old self, which makes me happy but also scared at the same time.

I'm scared for my feelings to return again. And to yet again make me feel like I am not worth their time unless its on their schedule, or they have nothing else to do.

The Back-Up Plan.

That is what I always seem to be to guys.

This evening has just been emotional period. I have spent a good deal of it crying trying to figure out what exactly it is that guys dont like about me. I love me, and I know that God loves me. I know that, that alone should be good enough, but I think we can all agree that we dont always feel that way.

Thank goodness this week is Summer Spectacular.

I love it so much, and it makes me feel like I am worth it. That I am doing what I was made to do. That God can shine through and use me this week in ways that He cant in other weeks.

It will keep my mind away from the thoughts of not being good enough.

Super Letter Game

2008-07-28T16:24:00.001-07:00

OH YEA!
That is all.

8.75 hours

2008-07-27T23:13:00.000-07:00

Until the start of Summer Spectacular.
I can't believe that it's already here again.

Today was so productive.

I met up with Amy, Ange, Katie, Gretchin, Gerrie, and her two nieces to set up the tent for tomorrow.

Got to get in a little laugh at Pastor Steve as he got Go-Gourt all over himself.

I came home and made a hat and other things for the week.

After all of that I went to Wal*Mart with my mom to get some hair ties and clips.

When I got home I braided my hair in about 30-40 braids.

My hair should look SPECTACULAR (haha) tomorrow.

That pun was SO intended.

Facebook Friend Updates

2008-07-26T22:53:00.000-07:00

So I just went to my facebook and changed my status. And when it updated I laughed because three of the four recent updates on there all had to do with counting down hours until Summer Spectacular.
Yes we are all crazy.
Yes we are all awesome.
Yes the event is as great as it seems.

This week is going to be so amazing. Personally I am excited to see everything that will happen. Having a new children's pastor is always exciting and Steve Adams is such an amazing man of God and we are all so blessed to have him as out pastor.

I cant wait to see the lives that will be changed over the course of this next week.

I feel like a kid at Christmas.

Thanks Officer

2008-07-25T17:11:00.001-07:00

So last night I went to starbucks with the amazing Carrie.
We got there and I was yrinh to decide what to get. Now since I am so short I had to stand near the spot they give you the drinks. Now they called a venti carmel maciato (sp?). Then Mr. Police man told the barista that he had ordered a iced drink of the same name not a hot one. The barista asked the officer if he would like the hot one as well, Mr. Police man declined his offer.
So what does that have to do with me and this blog? Two words,
FREE COFFEE!!!!
That was so awesome. I took a picture to document this awesomeness.

Watch This!

2008-07-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

As most of you who read this know me, my favorite movie of all time is what?
If you said The Wizard of Oz you are correct.
If you didnt, then you dont know me that well.
Anyways, normally I am against anyone singing the classic Judy Garland song. There is just something about that song. I dont ever try to sing it in public. If I do it's in the privacy of my own room.
But there is a 6 year old that has changed my mind. Watch this video of her and I dare you to tell me she sucks.

Little Connie is now 7 years old. She didnt win the contest, but she did make it to the finals.