Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Horses! What?
Ok, I might be crazy! Can you believe I got myself a horse? All my life I've wanted one and never had either the space, the time or the money. So Freddie and I decided if we don't just do it we never will. So we did! I love her, she's great! Her name is Lily and she's a real treat. She's an 11 year old walkaloosa. Thats a cross between a Tennessee Walking Horse and an Appaloosa. We've had her a week now and I just love it. I love looking out the window and seeing her there. I love going out to the pasture. As soon as I open the front door she calls to me! She usually meets me at the gate. I love to pet and groom her but I especially love to ride her! I'm still a little scared of her......and she knows it! Not scared really, just nervous that I'm not "doing it" right. So, she acts up a little. Not much but she throws her head around and objects to doing what she's told. Sounds like the kids! And speaking of the kids, she loves them! I love it when they walk towards her and she sticks her head out over the fence for them to reach her. I especially love it when one of them runs along the fence and she runs with them. So funny! I'm getting some help with my horsemanship so hopefully I'll be an old pro before I know it.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Mother's Day
Do you ever have one of those days, or a series of days when you are frustrated and everyone is on your last nerve? Well, I've been having them lately. And then I got called and asked to sing in sacrament on mother's day. I thought "Oh boy! How am I supposed to sing about how great it is to be a mother when all my kids are driving me crazy?"
And then I found a song, called Your Song by Jenny Phillips. Its not really even specific to women and certainly not specific to mothers. Maybe its just my interpretation of the words and their meaning, but it seems to fit. Its all about the gifts the Lord has given us and the beautiful things in our life. So I thought "what more beautiful thing could we be given than our families?" Even when we're frustrated with them, our children are our greatest gift. But what about women who aren't mothers? I thought about them and about how special many of those women are to those of us who do have children. Sometimes its those women we lean on the most. Their shoulders are strong and they can help us carry our burdens oftentimes better than anyone else. There is one lady in our branch who has been especially helpful to me. She sets a good example in her YW calling and for my 2 YW age daughters that is a tremendous support. She always seeks out the things that make them happiest. When someone takes time to know what it is that makes a child happy (even a teenager!) it increases the likelihood of that child being successful in life. No one benefits more from someone who takes the time to know them than a child. So, thank you Sister Collier! I love you! This song is for you!
I will never be able to include all the women who have been special to me, so I'll just name a very few. I'll start with Amy, she's amazing! She always makes herself available when I need her. Even if all I need her for is to complain! This song is for you!
Our YW presidency and Primary presidency. You ladies are instrumental in my life. You help me teach my children the gospel. No education is more important than that! This song is for you!
Our RS presidency. You ladies give me strength to be the very best I can be. As a mother, a wife, a grown up! Sundays are great because of all of you. This song is for you!
My mom and grandma's and sisters. That includes my sisters-in-law. Whether its reading your posts on facebook, chatting on the phone or hanging out you guys make my life awesome!
I know I may not be Celine Dion (don't I wish!) but I'll sing it as well as I can. Because this song is for all of you! So Happy Mother's Day! Whether you have children of your own or not, you are still a mother! If it takes a village to raise a child then you are my village!
And then I found a song, called Your Song by Jenny Phillips. Its not really even specific to women and certainly not specific to mothers. Maybe its just my interpretation of the words and their meaning, but it seems to fit. Its all about the gifts the Lord has given us and the beautiful things in our life. So I thought "what more beautiful thing could we be given than our families?" Even when we're frustrated with them, our children are our greatest gift. But what about women who aren't mothers? I thought about them and about how special many of those women are to those of us who do have children. Sometimes its those women we lean on the most. Their shoulders are strong and they can help us carry our burdens oftentimes better than anyone else. There is one lady in our branch who has been especially helpful to me. She sets a good example in her YW calling and for my 2 YW age daughters that is a tremendous support. She always seeks out the things that make them happiest. When someone takes time to know what it is that makes a child happy (even a teenager!) it increases the likelihood of that child being successful in life. No one benefits more from someone who takes the time to know them than a child. So, thank you Sister Collier! I love you! This song is for you!
I will never be able to include all the women who have been special to me, so I'll just name a very few. I'll start with Amy, she's amazing! She always makes herself available when I need her. Even if all I need her for is to complain! This song is for you!
Our YW presidency and Primary presidency. You ladies are instrumental in my life. You help me teach my children the gospel. No education is more important than that! This song is for you!
Our RS presidency. You ladies give me strength to be the very best I can be. As a mother, a wife, a grown up! Sundays are great because of all of you. This song is for you!
My mom and grandma's and sisters. That includes my sisters-in-law. Whether its reading your posts on facebook, chatting on the phone or hanging out you guys make my life awesome!
I know I may not be Celine Dion (don't I wish!) but I'll sing it as well as I can. Because this song is for all of you! So Happy Mother's Day! Whether you have children of your own or not, you are still a mother! If it takes a village to raise a child then you are my village!
Friday, February 26, 2010
How cute!
So, Haley has decided to do something for the people in Haiti. She wants to take donations and put together hygiene kits. I want to encourage service in my kids and so this is going to be a family project. I know we are only a few people, but sometimes great things come in small packages. I'm soliciting help from anyone who wants to be included. We'll pay to have kits sent to Utah. I'm including the address for anyone who wants to be able to reference it quickly.
Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center1665 South Bennett RoadSalt Lake City, UT 84104Telephone: (801) 240-5954Hours: 8 am — 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Hygiene kits are to include the following:
Hygiene Kit Hygiene kits are sent to orphanages, homeless shelters, medical facilities and disaster areas.
• 2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
• 4 toothbrushes (packaged)
• 1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 ounces, no pumps)
• 2 bars of soap (approximately 3.5-5 ounces)
• 2 hand towels (see hand towel guidelines below)
Place items in a heavy-duty, one-gallon sealable bag. Remove the air before sealing.
Hand Towels (for Hygiene Kit) Use new 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Please do not use dish towels or washcloths.
Hand towels may also be sewn. To sew towels, use terry cloth to make 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Serge or zigzag edges securely to prevent fraying.
I'm very proud of her and all my children. As soon as Haley showed an interest, they all were excited to pitch in. Earlier this year Freddie and I had talked about ways to get everyone thinking outside of themselves and serving others. Disney has the give a day get a Disney day promotion going on this year and we were planning on a service project through them without telling the kids about a free day at Disney. We're still planning that, but this was just an extra way to let the kids be involved. How wonderful to have kids who are willing to give even when they have no frame of reference for the suffering of others. It's amazing to see them empathise without being able to sympathize. Anyway, if your interested in pitching in you can comment here, email me at natalie7kids@gmail.com or give me a call 904-349-4798.
Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center1665 South Bennett RoadSalt Lake City, UT 84104Telephone: (801) 240-5954Hours: 8 am — 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Hygiene kits are to include the following:
Hygiene Kit Hygiene kits are sent to orphanages, homeless shelters, medical facilities and disaster areas.
• 2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
• 4 toothbrushes (packaged)
• 1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 ounces, no pumps)
• 2 bars of soap (approximately 3.5-5 ounces)
• 2 hand towels (see hand towel guidelines below)
Place items in a heavy-duty, one-gallon sealable bag. Remove the air before sealing.
Hand Towels (for Hygiene Kit) Use new 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Please do not use dish towels or washcloths.
Hand towels may also be sewn. To sew towels, use terry cloth to make 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Serge or zigzag edges securely to prevent fraying.
I'm very proud of her and all my children. As soon as Haley showed an interest, they all were excited to pitch in. Earlier this year Freddie and I had talked about ways to get everyone thinking outside of themselves and serving others. Disney has the give a day get a Disney day promotion going on this year and we were planning on a service project through them without telling the kids about a free day at Disney. We're still planning that, but this was just an extra way to let the kids be involved. How wonderful to have kids who are willing to give even when they have no frame of reference for the suffering of others. It's amazing to see them empathise without being able to sympathize. Anyway, if your interested in pitching in you can comment here, email me at natalie7kids@gmail.com or give me a call 904-349-4798.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Logan
Yesterday my brother Logan reported to the MTC in Utah to serve a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so proud of him! The church has changed my life so much. I'm so happy to know that missionary work is going forward and has strong young men like Logan sharing the gospel with people all over the world. Even though I've been a member all my life, my husband hasn't. When he decided to be baptised I was so thrilled! I have never wanted anything except to be a forever family! To be married is such an amazing experience, but to be sealed in the temple is so much more. How wonderful to know my baby brother is sharing that same truth with the people in Denver Colorado! Thank you Logan! There is nothing more important than what you're doing right now! These people will be thankful for this gift you're giving them for all eternity!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
My family!
One night last week I asked Fredde to hold Ella while did something. He was a little congested and had one of those breathe right strips on his nose. When I came back in the bedroom, this is what I found. Both boys had gotten bandaids and one of Gracie's baby dolls and they were all watching tv on my bed. Too cute!
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