Zach and Nathana

Day 28- Pictures only!  

Hey, I had been doing so well in this challenge... and then came the last days of school for the year, and I guess things were just crazy! Day 23- T hings you've learned that school won't teach you.  Always look before you sit down on the toilet.  There's no telling if your husband remembered to put it down or not.  (And I've fallen in the toilet more times than I'd care to admit.) Never underestimate the power of being nice.  You don't know other people's struggles, you never know when your paths might cross again, and you never know how you might impact someone else's life by one small gesture of kindness. Real life is not a Disney movie.  The prince and princess get married, ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after.   Not a bad idea, but a lot of couples actually expect their marriage to be this way.  It would be so nice if life would be this clean-cut, but it's so so not.  We disagree, get sick, need surgeries, run short on m

Day 22- Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. Oh boy, I never get to rant! This should be a change of pace, so I feel like I should preface it by saying, don't take any of this personally. You may think I'm talking about you, but I'm most likely not.  Okay, time to get my rant on!  So it really annoys me when people like to tell Zach and I (but mostly they say it to me) when we should or should not have kids. Or when you run into someone in the distant family that you never see and they instantly ask with that look and say, "So when are ya'll thinking about having a baby?" Or "What are ya'll waiting for?"  First of all, when we do have a baby, I can tell you, we want it to be a surprise. I love hoopla and celebration, so don't worry! When we are expecting I will make sure we tell everybody in the most fun and creative way I can think of. (My mama always said I had a flair for the dramatic anyway! ; ) No

Day 21- A list of links to your favorite post in your archives. Our honeymoon The day we welcomed Nellie into our hearts and home  (I miss the days she was that small!) Nellie's 1st Birthday  (Zach still thinks I'm crazy for all the planning I did!) Vacation 2011 Enjoy!

Day 20- Get real.  Share something you're struggling with right now. What do I not struggle with?  Okay, I won't use that cop out.  Let me think. Alrighty, I guess I can go ahead and admit I am struggling with staying consistent and vigilant with working out and eating healthy.  I have kept off the 22/23 pounds that I have lost and have kind of stalled.  I will be doing great, working out 5-6 days a week, making good choices, and then BAM.  I skip one day of working out, then it becomes two, three, you see where this is headed.  Me laying on the couch after a long day lacking motivation and will power.  Throw in cupcakes, ice cream, oreos, birthday cakes, wedding treats and you've got one screwed "healthy eating" plan.  I have always said I wish God didn't give me such a sweet tooth.  Why can't I be one of those people who just "doesn't do sweets."  Because I know what delicious taste like, and it includes all the sweets I just mentioned.

Day 19- Your 5 favorite blogs to read and why. 1. Made -  I love all her crafts, recipes, home ideas!  Her kids are pretty adorable too!  2. Elyse -  I really love reading a blog when I actually know the person!  It makes me feel like much less of the creeper that I am! ; )  Also, since she is at another school teaching, I can keep up on her going-ons! 3. Running-with-Scissors -  I love her crafts and tutorials.  The first project I made when I picked back up sewing was her shirred pocket skirt.  She makes some awesome things, especially for little ones! 4. Kate - I do not know Kate, and couldn't even tell you about how I stumbled across her blog, but it was a couple days after her daughter, Lucy, was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer.  I have been praying for their sweet family for two years and I know that their story will inspire you.  The hand of God is strong at work in their lives! 5. Jenni - Jenni is the one hosting this months Blog every day in May challenge. 

Day 18- Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt. My Mama Joyce (my mom's mom) always kept us when we were growing up since she was a homemaker.   That way we never had to go to daycare, and we got to be spoiled by our Grandma every day!  Well, one day, all three of us (Ross, Suzanne, and I) were playing outside in the chicken yard and for some reason they figured it would be a great idea to hold me down and tickle me.  I remember I kept yelling, "I'm gonna pee, I'm gonna pee!"  They literally tickled me until I peed, then I ran inside to tell Mama Joyce what they had done.  I remember I stayed inside until she washed and dried my clothes, and that I was so incredibly mad at my siblings.  I can't even remember the repercussions for them, but I don't really remember them getting into trouble!  What a rip off!    Not sure why this story came to mind, but I guess it is kind of funny!  T

Day 17- A favorite photo of yourself and why. Okay, I realize that this picture has Zach in it, but he is out of focus, so it still counts as a picture of me.  These were taken 4 (four, really?!) years ago when we did our engagement pictures.  My sister had done my make-up and hair for me and I just felt really pretty!  We were also so excited to be taking our first professional pictures together and it was just so much fun.  I know Zach hates having his picture taken, but I LOVE to be able to look back and recount all of our milestones and adventures! I am also including this picture because it is more current.  I had just finished working out and we were playing with my new camera.  I love Nellie's tongue out smile and my smile.  She is always good at bringing a smile to my face! 

Day 16- Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it. I don't know if counts as my "lot in life," but I am currently in my 2nd year as being a title 1 aide at my school. I do not get paid much, I don't have my "own" group of kids that are just mine, there are no benefits (health care insurance, sick days, etc.), and some of the time I feel like I don't get any R-E-S-P-E-C-T from others in my school because I don't have a teaching job. (Even though i have my teaching degree just like them!) Do you know how crappy all of the above makes me feel some days?  I guess I am "working on this" by applying for all the teaching jobs available.  Let's hope it all pays off, because while I do love my job, I do not want to be an aide forever... (Or even another year!) ; )

Day 15- " A Day in the Life" post On an average work day:  6:10, 6:15, 6:19, 6:24- My alarm goes off and I hit snooze repeatedly until 6:24. Have I ever mentioned I'm not a morning person? : ) 6:25-6:50- Nellie and I have a very strict wake up schedule. I get up, go the bathroom, let her out of her kennel and let her in our (fenced) backyard to go potty. While she is out there I fix my breakfast and pour her breakfast in her bowl. She comes in, inhales her food, and then runs to sit one foot away from me to watch me eat my breakfast. I then get dressed, straighten/curl/fix my hair, pack lunch if I'm taking it, give Zach a kiss bye, give Nellie a kiss bye, and I'm out the door!  6:50-7:15ish- My drive to work. I usually take this as my quiet time when I listen to KLOVE radio station. A pretty good start to the day. 7:15-7:30- Arrive at school, prepare for the day. 7:30-8:00- Bus duty. Oh yes, I live the exciting life of a crossing guard at my school.  Not a bad gig

Day 14- 10 things that make you happy  *It is too late and I am too lazy for picture on this post tonight. I would say I'll add some tomorrow, but no promises!  1. Zach 2. Nellie 3. My nephews and niece 4. Singing- in the car, in the shower, down the aisle's of Home Depot hold a piece of PVC pipe...pretty much anywhere.  And the Home Depot instance actually took place tonight! Zach was embarrassed! Hehehe! 5. Mowing at Mama Joyce's. 6. Family time with each of our families. 7. Sewing, baking, cooking. Any thing where I am making or cooking for others or for my own family. I just love it. 8. Vacation with my family in Florida! ( fixin to start my count down on that one)  9. Sleeping in and snuggling with my little family! (Even if we consider 7:00 am sleeping in anymore!) 10. Reading and irresistible book that I can't put down! I love getting lost in the world of a good book!

Day 13- Issue a public apology. * I am going to issue more than one! : ) Dear Mama and Mama-in-law, I am sorry that I said I will dye our children's hair if they are born red-headed.  I am sure I will be thrilled to have them when the day comes and I will make them very trendy and fashionable no matter the color of locks on their head! Dear Sister, I am sorry that we didn't get along the best when we were in high school.  But I am glad we are making up for it now and are pretty good friends!  Love you!  Dear Zach, I am sorry for my moments/times of what you probably consider insanity.  You are the one who keeps me level-headed and calm when I need to most.  You are my better half and always know how to handle me!  I love you!

Day 12- What do you miss? I miss my Papa.  The way his farm was when he was still alive.  I miss our gentle cows, the snorting pigs, and clucking chickens that we always chased.  I miss hearing him call me "Little Bit," the nickname set aside just for me since I was a "little bit" of a thing when I was born.  I miss his infectious laugh.  I can hear it now in my head.  I miss hearing him call the cows in and then me trying it too. "Suuuuuuuu-zzzzzzy!" he'd call, and they'd all come round.  There are so many, many things I miss about that man.  What I would give for him to have met Zach.  I think he would have loved him! I miss life being truly "easy."  While I appreciate all that Zach and I have, I had it pretty easy when I was younger and under my parents' roof.  I hope we can provide that same sense of security for our own children. I miss college a little bit when I think about the carefree time Zach and I got to spend togeth

Day 11-Sell yourself in 10 words.  Here goes nothing:  Dedicated, loving, caring, fun-loving, congenial, happy, flexible, determined, hard working! Did you buy me?! : )

Day 10-Most embarrassing moment Well, I'm going to have to go with when Zach and I went to the movies.  Seems innocent enough, right?  We were dating, maybe engaged, I really can't remember.  The movie was Forgetting Sarah Marshall.   If you've seen the movie, you probably already know where I'm going with this.  In the first 5 minutes of the movie the main actor is shown "full frontal nude" about 3 or 4 times.  Zach and I both shrieked out loud, turned our heads, and konked into each other.  It was of course dark in the theater, but I know that my cheeks were flaming red!  We learned to carefully read up on movies before going to see them after that experience!  Aw-ful! Story from when I was youger: In 5th grade, the classroom was dead silent, and I had to sneeze.  Well I sneezed and also passed gas at the same time!!  Referred to by Zach as a "sneeze fart!"  haha.  I could have died.  I remember everyone laughing and being sooooooo embarrassed

Day 9- A picture from your day. It can be just a picture or picture with words. The first picture is technically a picture from Zach's day. He demoed the bathroom (eek!) and this is what I came home to! I was mostly just surprised at how different it looks! It's going to take a while, but when we get it finished it'll be great! Lots of projects going on in our house right now! I got these sewing scissors and snippers yesterday at Jo-Ann's, but didn't open them until today! Aren't they the cutest ever?! I am now going to have cut out a new project just to get to use them! Yay! : )  Well, today was my "Friday" since we don't have school tomorrow, and I'm going to enjoy every second of time I get with my hubby! Come back tomorrow for day 10 and my weekly wrap ups for the past two weeks! Nighty- night!

Day 8- Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all. Hmm, I am not so sure I am a good advice giver, but here it goes. A lot of people say, "Do what makes you happy, for you will be criticized no matter what your choice."  To a point, this statement is a piece of advice I life by.  As long as I am using it in accordance with prayer.  I try to pray about "big" life decisions, talk extensively with Zach, and weigh the pros and cons before making the final decision.  The important part is remembering the road to happiness may not always result in each decision making you happy, but if you are trusting the Lord with your choices, he will ultimately lead you to his happiness plan for you.  Also, no matter what you choose, on this Earth, there are going to be lots of people who support your choices and probably even more who will oppose then.  It's not their life though, they don't have to live with the results of your decisions!  So, alwa

Day 7, Tuesday:  The thing(s) you're most afraid of: Spiders Ticks Losing my family- I used to have terrible nightmares that my brother would die.  I remember one time waking up bawling, run to his room to make sure he was okay, and then him being ticked off when I accidentally woke him up.  Oops! : )  Thankfully I haven't had these kind of dreams about Zach, but every once in a while if he is late getting home and hasn't called, my silly mind wanders and by the time he is home, I'm scared to death he's not okay.  This is something I don't like about myself and I have gotten better about it since we got married.   Things IN the dark- Zach always laughs when I say this one.  He says I am simply scared of the dark.  I simply insist it's of the things in the dark.  Jury's still out on who is right.  This may seen stereotypical, but I am scared of driving through a "rough" part of town.  Zach laughs because I always lock my doors as I drive.

Day 6, Monday:  If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'? Hehe, this is a good one.   In my career: I am a Mama-figure, a counselor, a fight settler. I love on kids that aren't mine, take care of them, and teach them.    In my home life:  I love a wonderful, caring husband who would do anything to make me happy. I love a beagle pup who owns my heart.  I love to sew, bake, and cook.  I do not love to clean, do laundry, or dishes, but it must be done! : )   That's what "I do" in a nut shell!  I wouldn't trade my roles for anything!                                                                                      My world....

Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member. Well, I have lots of blogging friends that it's a one-sided stalkerish realtionship from my end.  They have no clue who I am, but I know lots about them.  See, isn't that kind of creepy?  So I'm going with my real life, non-creepy relationship with my friend, Elyse!!  We worked together for the last 1.5 years at Loge! Elyse , I love that we are so similar in always wanting to be happy and cheerful no matter what!  We work great together (remember our Jan Brett unit at Christmas?!), can talk for a long time, and always have a good time!!  I miss you since you have moved schools, but know you're doing an awesome job there!  You are also great because you are so crafty!  I love seeing all of your creations!! Lets do lunch this week! Love, Nat

Day 4, Saturday: F avorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it. "Today you are you, that is truer than true.  There is no one alive that is youer that you!"- Dr. Seuss With the name of Nathana, this really is true!  There is no one like me and I always enjoyed doing my own thing.  Except for sometimes when I was younger, I didn't do my own thing.  I let people around me affect the way I did things because I was so worried about what others might think.  In middle school and high school, who didn't?!  Today though, not anymore.  I try to be the unique, funny, loving person God made to be.  I live for God, my family, and my friends.  They have loved me in all the mess I can be and still love me.  I am so very thankful that when God made me, he broke the mold!  Plus, I don't think the world (or my family) could handle two of me! ; ) (L-R: Me, Megan, Elizabeth)  Zach and I on the ski lift in Gatlinburg!  Honeymooning it up!  Aubri

Sunday was a busy day as we celebrate our niece's 6th birthday and our nephew's birthday.  Isaiah's birthday was March 1st, but since my sister-in-law, Jessie, was still pregnant and in and out of the hospital, they couldn't have a party until now.  We definitely partied hard though and had a great time!                                                                  Can't believe she is 6!                                                       Big 1 year old!!  This year flew by!                                                             Zach and his daddy grilling.                                                                      Isaiah's cake!                                                                   Aubrie's cake!                                                  Tearing into that cupcake!  So cute!                             Holding Samuel, our newest nephew!  All that partying wears ya out!   Monday began I