Natalie means Christmas...

Natalie \n(a)-ta-lie\ as a girl's name is pronounced NAT-a-lee. It is of Latin origin, andthe meaning of Natalie is "birthday". Refers to the birthday of Christ, or Christmas. French form ofNatalya. Therewas a fourth-century Saint Natalia. The "h" is silent in the French form Nathalie; some American variants (like Nathalee) are phonetically spelled to retain the "h" sound.

I've alway's known that Natalie's name meant

"Christmas"

I love this time of year

when we celebrate the

birthday of Christ

Because of Him

we will be with

Natalie again

He gave the world

the best

gift

ever received

With His birth

He brought

joy

hope

peace..

all things I feel

every time I think of

Natalie...which means

"Christmas"

and that..just makes me smile

10 indications that something has to change..

10. My laundry room is so full of junk and clutter, that I can barely see the washer and dryer. And that is not a exaggeration in the least..if you have seen my laundry room. (I am happy to report I used my "labor day" off...to clean and organize..and I found the washer and dryer!)
9. I have been living out of a suitcase traveling for work, more than living out of my closet.
8. My husband and I have literally been at home together at the same time only 5 times in the past 4 months. And that is not an exaggeration in the least.
7. Daily phone calls to my mother are down to about 2 a week since I've been in every time zone but her's, and when I think to call..she's been asleep for hours. Guilt has offically set in over this one.
6. Attended church on Sunday, didn't recognize half the ward. When introducing myself, they have lived here in my neighborhood for 3 months..and I've never seen them before. wow.
5. I have missed so many girlfriend lunches that Im on double secret probation and will have to re-introduce myself next time I see them
4. Woke up and realized it is September, and in my mind it's still April. Seriously have no idea where May-August went? Anyone?
3. I've forgotten how to grocery shop or cook because all I've done is eat on the road..but I've become expert at submitting an expense report, and know that I average $3 for breakfast, $7 for lunch and $12 for dinner. pretty good, eh?
2. I have read SO many trash magazines in airports that I know more about the stars lives and the FUGLY 2011 fall fashions than I care to admit. I can answer anything you want to know according to People, US, ELLE and Vogue. No Jennifer Aniston is not pregnant with twins, Kim Kardashian wants to have a honeymoon baby, and the "horse hoove"(sorry,this is the only description I can think of to describe them)shoes of the season are seriously the ugliest things around. period. And I will not wear them, thank you very much. my apologies if you love them.

1. But the biggest indicator and number one reason that something has to change is the fact that for the first time in 8 years...Natalie's grave has looked like this for a while now.. I simply have not been home to visit, or decorate.

This seriously has brought more sadness and guilt to me..

In 8 years Natalies grave has never been without a flower or a fabulous bow and a visit from me for longer than a week or two at the most.
So tonight..I took the time to add some flowers

and a fabulous bow

And sat and listened to the quiet

Enjoyed the moment to talk to Nat

Smiled at the cute flower I found..and hope stay's put for longer than a day

Then promised her...and myself, that change is coming and I will be around to visit and decorate with fabulous bows and cute flowers, to cook and clean... and I'll know more about my friends lives than the stars lives..I'll be home when Dad is home...
and I'll do it all in my favorite flats.

Love You, Mom and Dad

Dear Natalie,

We know we are the parents...you the daughter....loaned to us for 23 amazing years. But somehow the table has turned. You are leaps and bounds ahead of us...already finished your journey here...already passed this earthly test. We on the other hand...still here, still learning.

Be patient with us as we keep doing this enduring thing. We face everyday with hope and faith....you are always with us. Are you getting a kick out of watching us age and get lumpier, grayer (your Dad, much more than I) each year? We are.

Your sisters miss you, love you and don't like that they are older than you. They know you have kissed and loved and taught their little ones. They know you help them every day...stay close, they love that.

Noah is a blessing to us, we love him, we love that he looks just like you, except he might already be as tall as you...just kidding, but almost! He is preparing to be baptised this year...I know you must be so proud of him. He is the best big brother to Cutler and Lexie, he has your nurturing spirit.

We know you are doing the work that Heavenly Father needs you to do....we'll keep doing our part here.

Love you,
Mom and Dad

What Could Have Been...

It's true. Sometimes I have thoughts of "What could have been".

(I must confess...as Stefanie would say)

Is that wrong?

I hope that its normal...to wonder what life would be like

...if Natalie were still here

I know she would LOVE this...

each time I see it...I sit there with goose bumps

(you know you do too)

I imagine how much Natalie would LOVE the music...

Love....the story

..Glinda...OH my...Natalie was a Glinda if there EVER was one..

She was soooo good....with such a little bit of "Wicked"

...just enough to make you giggle...

Enough to leave

"a handprint on my heart"

One Step At A Time...

I've been participating in "The Relay for Life" Event for the past two days..this event is once a year to raise money for cancer awareness and to pay tribute to those who are battling cancer, or have lost their battle with cancer.

Participating made me realize a couple things...

1. I'm out of shape!..{I know ,I know this, and I should have realized it before now, but you know....while I was w.a.l.k.i.n.g around the track..."older" men {much older than me} were sailing past me...jogging along in a smooth glide.
Seriously

2. There are so many people who are affected by cancer, I don't know {anyone} who doesn't know {someone}...who has not been touched by this hurrendous disease..my cute Dad, passed away from pancreatic cancer 10 years ago ... {way. too. soon.}

As we walk along they play inspiring music to help keep you motivated...and yes, I needed motivation when I was walking my hour and a half block at about 11:00p.m. last night...

I heard this song... by Jordan Sparks...{love it}

"We Live And We Learn To Take One Step At A Time

There's No Need To Rush

It's Like Learning To Fly

Or Falling In Love

It's Gonna Happen

And It's Supposed To Happen

That We Find The Reasons Why

One Step At A Time"

Sweet Noah has been doing a lot of {wondering} lately ....

Growing up...yet still a child

Understanding..

~One Step At A Time ~

Never truer words...

I love this qoute from Sis. Marjorie Hinckley...it say's exactly how I feel!

{I've added a darling button on my side bar just for a constant reminder} you can add it to by going here.



"The only way to get through this life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache"
marjorie pay hinckley



Just reading this makes me smile...

What Time is it?!

The Apostle Peter said that “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years”

you see..I'm having this dilema with the subject of "time" lately. Time seems to be going by sooooo fast, too fast and I seriously can't keep up. One day flows into the next, my mind is back in March somewhere and yet I realize it's August tomorrow (what?!) Grandbabies born...I swear a few months ago..are approaching a year old in a matter of weeks. How can this be? Does time speed up when you hit that...um..half century mark? Peter, what is your take on that? I want it all to slow down and let me catch up...but herein lies the dilema I have with that. ...a day does not go by that I don't imagine in my mind the reunion in heaven with Natalie. I picture her there..beautiful, busy, teaching, tending, smiling, watching over us... Some days it seems like it will be f-0-r-e-v-e-r until that day comes and I wish time would speed up and hurry..none of this thousand year stuff..thank you very much.

So for now, I'll take some advice from Winnie The Pooh on the subject of time;

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

~ winnie the pooh