On the Tenth Day of Christmas

If you know me, then you know how much I love my husband. I think he is the bee’s knees. And while there are million things I love about him, but today I am going to share my top ten!

 Brandon has this amazing silly spirit. He has the ability to let loose and have fun in almost any situation. He can break out in a dance party in an instant, and he has the ability to lighten anyone’s mood. I have never met anyone who could make me smile like this man can.

In San Francisco.

Brandon being silly. 

My husband is a giver. He will give you the shirt off his back and then give the last twenty in his wallet. On top of that he loves to help fund the Kingdom of God!

Brandon holding Elisha's hands on his first amusement park ride.

Brandon is a great daddy. He is always down on the floor rolling around with the boys, he is kind and tender with them and is a great example of the love of our heavenly Father.

 My husband is brilliant and has a deep seated thirst for knowledge. I love that he loves learning about the Lord and the Bible.

My absolutely favorite thing about Brandon is that he has one of the tenderest hearts I have encountered. He is compassionate and has an unbelievably sweet spirit.

I love Brandon’s ambition. He dreams big and has caught a great glimpse of God’s vision.

I love that my husband is amazingly talented. He is artistic and creative and a genius, if I do say something myself. I love how he can pull entire worlds from his imagination.

Brandon is the wittiest person I know. He is quick. I am not sure how his brain functions that fast but he could be a stand up comedian if he wanted to. Humor is certainly something that isn’t lacking in our home, and I am sure that I will as we age our laugh lines won’t be fading, but hey, it is totally worth it to married to an amazingly funny man.

He can even make babies laugh!

If you know Brandon, you can probably guess that his love language is words of affirmation. It is easy to guess because he is so good at lavishing loving words on others. Brandon is a naturally born encourager. He is inspiring and uplifting and really sees the best in us.

 The absolute best thing about Brandon is that he is, without a doubt, a man after God’s own heart. He wants nothing more than to please his Lord. He is always seeking after the Lord and has a great desire to see the will of God carried out in his life and God glorified. This is, hands down, the best thing about my handsome husband!

The Twenty Four Books of Christmas

This year I decided to acquire and wrap 24 books about Christmas for my little men. Each night they get to unwrap one and we read it for our bedtime story. We are only a few days into the month but this has been so much fun.



Here are the books we are doing and I will try to update as often as I can and let you know what we thought of the books!

1. The Crippled Lamb 
2. Mortimer's Christmas Manger
3. Santa's Favorite Story
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas
6. Olive the Other Reindeer
7. The Polar Express
8. The Tale of Three Trees
9. God Gave Us Christmas
10. The Night Before Christmas
11. J is for Jesus (When we read this book my five year old pointed out that it is ridiculous to put a baby in a manger full of hay. Especially since babies are bald all over and hay is itchy and pokey. But, besides the downsides of hay, this book is adorable, geared toward a younger audience and catchy rhymy version of the gospel story.)
12. Humphrey's First Christmas
13. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey
14. The Pirate's Night Before Christmas (This book is absolutely hilarious. It is short and super cute. We read it three times the night we unwrapped it and I can say with all sincerity that I enjoyed it as much as my children did. It even has a pirate glossary in the end to translate all the pirate words. Definitely worth owning because it is one you could read over and over again.)
15. The Gift of the  Magi (This is unquiestionably my favorite Christmas story, other than the Biblical account of Christ's birth of course. We read it every year, I never make it through without tearing up. It is a beautiful story of self sacrificing love. Because it was written quite a while ago you can get the full text of this short story on the internet. I would recommend reading this to your children even if you don't buy the book!)
16. The Nutcracker (This one is a classic but this version doesn't include much on all of the special trips that the little girl takes with the nutcracker. I honestly don't know enough about the original story to know whether those were just added in the ballet or whether they were edited to make the story shorter, either way, they are my favorite part but this was still a good book, especially for my 8 year old. The five year old lost interest in a few parts.)
17. Angela and the Baby Jesus
18. Only a Star
19. A Charlie Brown Christmas
20. Mary's First Christmas
21. The Wild Christmas Reindeer
22. The Lightlings
23. Who is that Knocking on Christmas Eve
24. Queen of Christmas

Photographing Your Own Children

Brandon and I recently wrangled our little ones, even managed to get a tie on them, and went out to take their pictures. Neither of us are professional photographers but we did end up with a few beautiful pictures. Now, in all fairness, I ended up with less than fifty shots that I really liked out of the 400 or so that we took, but since we took their pictures, IT WAS FREE. While of course I have to pay for prints, I think the photos are pretty good, for an amateur!

Advent Ideas

This is the Advent Calendar we made last year.

I know there are SO many ideas out there for Advent activities. Last year the list I made had lots of fabulous activities that we loved. You can see it here. But many of them had so much prep work and took so much time I rethought our activities for year. This December we will be doing lots of fun things, but most of the activites require little to no prep work and the ones that do take some fore thought are the ones we really wanted to get to.  Here is our list for this year:

Today is the first day of December! What a better way to celebrate it than with a pajama party! Get warm and cozy and let’s watch a Christmas Movie!  (Since we already have a few Christmas movie, this is a zero prep work day!)

What better way to celebrate the winter season than with your every own snowscape? Grab a bottle of shaving cream, a few action figures, have a blast in the bath making your own winter wonderland.  (While I technically have to buy a can of shaving cream ahead of time this is still pretty easy.)

We all know Christmas is about giving. Take some time today and shop for gifts to give to those who might need help this Christmas.  (We were going to do this any way, so why not kill two birds with one stone.)   

Have a little Christmas fun with these Christmas mad libs! (The only prep work for this day was to print a few copies of these free  mad libs or you can order a book of Christmas Mad Libs for just a few dollars from Amazon.)     
 Today is a very Special Day. As you know we are celebrating jesus’ birthday with our homeschool friends!                    (Once again, we were already doing this so why not include it in the Advent calendar.)

All around the world people are celebrating st. Nicolas today. Take some time to remember why we still study this great man. (Oh, and don’t forget to check your shoes for a special treat for you and a special way you can bless someone else.) (This one actually does take prep work but it is just so fun. My favorite part of Christmas is stockings and this is kind of like getting to do stockings twice. We fill the boys shoes with treats and this year we are adding ten gold dollars, much in the fashion of St. Nicholas, to use to bless others in some way.)

The Christmas season isn’t complete without Christmas music. Why don’t you pick out some new Christmas tunes to share and enjoy together! (This is just a quick trip up to Target.)
 We had such a blast last year roasting marshmallows in the backyard, let’s do it again! Get the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows ready for s’mores! (As long as I remember to get these things when I do my normal grocery shopping this should be pretty easy.)
 Dress in your finest, light the candles, and break out the china. It is for our second annual fancy pants dinner! (This was one of the boys favorites last year, so despite prep work this is a must.)

There is nothing better than a picnic. But Let’s change it up a bit and have an indoor picnic. I will meet you for lunch on the blanket in the living room. (We have to lunch, so why not make it fun?)

Tonight is a very special night. It is polar express night. Meet us on the couch as we watch the movie together while we drink homemade hot chocolate. (We are sneaking the boys out after the movie to go see Christmas lights. This night should be so fun despite any prep work that it might require.)
 How about a bubble bath tonight? Don’t forget to use some of those bubbles to make a santa beard, and don’t forget to smile, because Mom is sure to have the camera close! (I already picked up some bubble bath so, once again, super easy.)

 Today there are no special treats, treasures, or fun activities. While Mom and Dad love lavishing gifts on you, we are going to take today to remember that what we really deserve is the wrath of God but what god gave us is salvation through Jesus and a great abundant life. (I bought lumps of coal at Dollar Tree. Good object lesson.)

Feel like baking? Let’s make some treats to deliver to our friends and neighbors today! (This day does require some prep work but it is tremendously fun to bless others this time of year!)

Camping is so much fun but it is so cold outside. Lets campout inside instead, grab your pillow, blanket, and we will camp out under the tree. (NO PREP WORK!)

I know the mall is super busy today but let’s risk it. Ezra and Elisha today you are going to spend some money shopping for gifts for mommy and daddy. Have fun! (I know I am crazy to attempt to take the boys to the mall in December but I think this will be fun. This is the first year that we have taken the boys shopping for parent gifts!)

Have fun making a gingerbread house today! (I am buying a gingerbread kit and so it should be super easy.)

Use your creative skills today to make some wrapping paper. Then Use your paper to wrap the gifts you got for mommy and daddy. (We have an abundance of art supplies so this shouldn't require anything extra.)
 A Christmas carol is one of the most loved Christmas stories of all times. Pop some popcorn and spend some time with the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. (We have the movie, so no prep work.)

What do you want for dinner? How about French toast & hot chocolate? (Easy peasy, we have to have dinner right.)

Are you up for a Santa clause movie marathon? (As long as I remember to Tivo the films at the beginning of the month this should be easy.)

The story of the birth of Christ is one of the most important stories in history. Take today and write out the story for yourself. (NO PREP WORK!)

Do you know how much mom and dad love you? Read these letters to find out. (This is going to require prep work but I think it is worth it.)

Mommy and daddy have a special Christmas eve gift for you tonight. Hope you love it! (Every Christmas Eve the boys get new pajamas. It is an oldie but a goodie.)

As we spend time with our family and open lots of presents, remember that the real gift in our lives is the love of Christ. Never forget. (NO PREP WORK!)

A Month of Natalie - Motto

What is your life motto?

You wake up everyday and decide who you are going to be!

I am twenty-eight years old. My childhood seems like a lifetime ago. But, even at my age I have peers that still based all of their life decisions, or rather make excuses for their lives, based on how their parents treated them. I have family members that have decided to live in constant pity party mode and essentially miss out on life because they are upset about the way someone (or maybe just life in general) has treated them. 

But the truth is, while we all have wounds that need to be healed, we get to pick who we are. God's mercies are new everyday. Even if you don't know God there are programs, doctors, books, good old fashion gumption, something, that could help you be the person you want to be, if you really wanted to be that person.

I know that in many areas of my life this applies directly to me. I cannot tell you how often I have complained about the laundry. I know it seems stupid and trivial (oh, and I know it is) but it is such a point of personal contention with me. I (kind of) want to be one of those people that does laundry every day and stays on top of. But, if I am really honest with myself, I know that I want to procrastinate more. 

And while laundry isn't like alcoholism, or lust, or manipulation, or using foul language, or gluttony, or lying, or being lazy, it is just another example of the things in our life we could change, if we really wanted to. 

Just remember, tomorrow has new mercies, and you get to pick who you want to be. 

We can't always change our circumstances, and we aren't responsible for others, but you, is completely up to you. 

A Month of Natalie - Events (Plus A Little Business)

Just a bit of business. My blog address is now nataliesapples.blogspot.com. 

Keep checking out my blog because in September I am either going to do a month on Homeschool (because we are just starting the school year) or Emergency Preparedness (or as we like to call it in the house preparing for the zombie apocalypse) because September is National Preparedness Month. Any thoughts on which one you would prefer?


If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?

I would have loved to see the resurrected Jesus walking the earth before His ascenion. Actually, just to see Jesus on earth, at any point of His time here would be amazing. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to see him lovingly heal people or cast out demons or weep with Mary and Martha, to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, and oh the cross. I just can't imagine what it felt like to be there that day.  My Jesus is tangible in so many ways but it would have been something else entirely to see Him physically here during those short three decades. 

Also, I would have loved to see Romeo and Juliet in the Globe on the day it premiered.     :)

A Month of Natalie - Remembered

What are things you would hope to be remembered for?

I would love to be remembered first and foremost as someone who loved Christ with everything and anything I had.

I also would like to be remembered as my children’s mother. I pour everything I have into them. They are my life’s calling and my greatest mission field.

Hopefully, in the generations to come, Brandon and I’s children, grandchildren and great great greats, can look back and remember that we left a spiritual legacy for them. Both Brandon and I had very dysfunctional upbringings full of divorce, adultery, and idolatry, and to replace those sins with righteousness   and a love for the Lord would be amazing.

I also want to be remembered as a wife that really loved her husband. With the ideas of marriage that are floating around in the world right now, if I just want to be remembered as a wife that sought to please God by loving Brandon.

I want to be remembered as someone with a kind heart and a generous spirit. I love serving and giving and to be able to touch others’ lives is truly a blessing to me.

A Month of Natalie - Love Language

What is your love language?

My love languages are quality time and acts of service. I love to just spend time with people and I feel the most loved when people just want to hang out with me. As for my other language, acts of service, this has really just developed in the last couple of years when I have been so busy. I cannot tell you how amazing it is to walk into a room and see my husband doing the dishes. I know that he really loves me, appreciates me, and notices all I do when he decides of his own volition to do something for me. 

A Month of Natalie - Eyes

What is your favorite part of your body and why?

Does it sound cliché to say that my eyes are my favorite part of my body? I think that they are very pretty but what I like most is that they are green. Here is why. When I was a little girl my eyes were dark brown. Most babies have a permanent eye color by six months but by one year for sure. My eyes changed color as I grew into adulthood. I always wanted green eyes and I like to think that I wished them green.

Side note: After a little bit of research I found that in approximately 10 percent of Caucasians their eye color changes in adolescents but still, saying I wished them green is a lot more fun. 

A Month of Natalie - Dinner

If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?

I am sure that if I had time I could think of a better and more profound choice but for right now I am going to go with William Shakespeare. I believe that he was the man from Stratford upon Avon but there has been so much speculation that I would just love to sit down with him and get his side of the story, and know once and for all, who he was (and what religion he was might also be interesting to know.) He was such an amazing playwright and to not be given credit for his work sort of irks me.

A Month of Natalie - Family Dynamic

Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.

When I was a child I didn’t necessarily have just one family dynamic. We lived with my grandparents off and on for my entire childhood. My mom had several different husbands (not all at the same time J) and sometimes it was just us kids with her. However, the one thing that never changed is that we were NEVER home. I don’t remember one weekend when I was growing up that we just sat at home and hung out as a family.

Our family is very different than that. Other than church there is nothing that we prioritize more than family time. We spend quite a bit of time just being together as a family and we spend a lot of time in the house. We love hanging out and though I have friends and Brandon has friends and we have family friends our favorite times are when the four of us are together. My grandmother also moved in with us about two years ago. I think that this has been incredibly enriching for the boys. First of all, the bible clearly instructs us to take care of widows. Second of all, my Grandmother practically raised me. She was my constant when I was growing up and so it has been a wonderful experience to have her here (even with all her quirks). I also think that it teaches the boys a different level of honor and respect. My boys love their Granny but they also know that they share in the responsibility of helping to taking care of her. 

A Month of Natalie - Hobbies

List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.

I absolutely LOVE reading. I read all kinds of books. I can enjoy most things from my absolute favorite Shakespeare to the poorly written but oh so fun Amish books. Right now I am reading a non fiction book about Jamestown, an end of the world as we know it novel, and the Bell Jar. Seriously, I am pretty diverse in what I enjoy but as long as I am reading I am a happy girl.

I love scrapbooking. I love crafting and making memory books for my family. Our evacuation list actually includes our family scrapbooks. First of all, those things took SO much work, plus they are the embodiment of beautiful family history.

I enjoy cooking. I like making healthy food delicious and I love experimenting with foods and flavors I haven’t previously tried. I also love to take a recipe or idea from somewhere and then adapting and making it my own. I can’t say that I have an equal love for baking but I can cook savory food all day.

I like planning. I am not sure if this counts as a hobby to the rest of the world but I plan out everything from my day tomorrow to homeschool curriculums to my dream house to our budget. I actually really really enjoy planning things. If I have just five minutes to squeeze something in, it is usually a plan or a list from something I want to do later.

This last one, like the first one, might not even be considered a hobby, but it is one of my favorite things to do, so I will list it: I LOVE ORGANIZING. Now, that being said, my house is not uber organizing, and I work on things, organizing them over and over again, until I have perfected it. For example I have organized and reorganized the homeschool room about six times this summer. It isn’t perfect but it is getting there. Actually, organizing it one more time is on my list of things to do this afternoon. Now, the bathroom, that is another story, Brandon has dropped several hints that he would like it organized but I am not inspired yet, so I am going to wait until he flat out asks, or I get the bathroom organizing bug. 

A Month of Natalie - Future

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 Years?

This is such a crazy question. I used to think like this but the older I get the more I know that the Lord rarely sends me where I think I am going. Hopefully, five years from now we will have at least three children (we have two right now). I will have a teenager since Ezra will be 13, oh man that is a scary thought. Elisha will be 10. Hopefully Brandon will be established in some of job or career doing something that he loves and my personal goal is to have published some of what I write (which includes homeschool curriculum, devotional material for women, and creative fiction.)

In ten years Ezra will be an adult (technically voting age), Elisha will be getting ready to drive, and who knows what Brandon and I will be doing. We both would really like to own and operate a ministry retreat center so who knows where we will be with that dream. Fifteen years is so far out that I almost can’t imagine it. Although, I have always joked that I want to have two children in my early twenties, check, two in my early thirties (not quite there yet), and two in my early forties. Now that I am a little older, wiser, and more tired, I realize this is maybe not such a fantastic idea, but then again God does have a funny way of reminding and bringing to pass random things you have said. If that were the case, at 43 years of age, I might have young children in the house. (Maybe I can adopt those though. J)

A Month of Natalie - Super Powers

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?

I would chose to have the ability to turn any object into any other object. I mean come on, it would be pretty amazing to turn a potato into a bar of gold. And I would do just that, monopoly money into cold hard cash would be a good power to have. And, I am not being selfish in this either, although my Old Navy flip flops might turn into these:

Seriously, I love these but I am not spending more that $100 on a pair of sandals.

But seriously, with a lot of money, you can help a lot of people. In my opinion this is much more useful than freezy breath or the ability to fly. 

A Month of Natalie - Memories

Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

New Year’s Eve 1992 my cousin Keenan and I spent the night with my grandmother. Now spending the night with your grandmother might now sound like an amazing new years eve but my grandmother was pretty awesome. I was in the third grade and absolutely in love with Axel Rose. I remember my grandmother said that we could do whatever we wanted that night. I remember that we went out to dinner and my grandparents ordered raw oysters. In exchange for McDonalds the next morning (which in hindsight we probably could have had anyways) both Keenan and I ate a raw oyster. Now, there was more ketchup than oyster, but still, it was gross. After dinner my grandmother gave us our own sodas in little bottles and tucked us into the bed in the guest room where Keenan, Grandma, and I watched MTVs top 100 videos of the year until midnight, when of course, November Rain came on in the top spot. I don’t know why this memory is still so fresh in my mind but I love it.

I loved Axel Rose. 

It wasn’t too long after that when I was sitting my father’s little truck in the drive through at Jack in the Box when my father told me that Grandma wasn’t going to get better, that she would in fact die from her cancer. I just remember thinking that it was so odd that my father was crying. That moment, in the Jack in the Box drive through was the one and only time I have ever seen my dad cry.  My grandmother died just a few days before Easter in 2005 and I really missed out on her when I was growing up but I am thankful for the time I had with her.

My wonderful Grandmother. 

Another fabulous memory I have from my childhood was the week we went to Disney World. Hands down, this was probably the best week of my childhood. I was in sixth grade, and would have told you that I was too old to have a blast at Disney World but all the magical moments the commercials show, yeah they are still that magical even in you are twelve. Anyway, my sister and I were deemed old enough to go down to the hotel pool and swim. We would wear our white, hotel provided robes, and strut our stuff down there. I am sure that it wasn’t a perfect week; I remember freaking out because my sister had my shampoo, and I wore these ridiculous heeled sandals and complained that my feet were going to fall off but it really was a neat week. (Thanks Dana and Brenda for a fabulous week!)

This was the wonderful hotel we stayed at. 

My last significant childhood memory would be the day I met Laura Rowley. I had just moved (for the twentieth time in my short eight years) and when we pulled into the little brown house on Johns Street there were these little girls sitting across the street. One was the little girl that lived there named Jessica, and the other two were sister, Laura and Katie Rowley. Within a week I was best friends with Laura and Brittany, my little sister, was friends with her little sister. Laura and I got into so much trouble and it all started right then and there!  

Still friends twenty years later.

A Month of Natalie - Location

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

A River Runs Through It. Okay, I know this a movie title and now an actual location but that simple life in beautiful country sounds like a dream. The movie is set in Montana and filmed in Wyoming and it is absolutely gorgeous. I would love a small house in the lush green surroundings but a clear running river. Sounds like a dream. I always imagined myself as a big city girl (and I still love places like NYC and my all time favorite San Francisco) but if I could go anywhere I would love to raise my children somewhere beautiful.  

A Month of Natalie - Seasons

What is your favorite season?

I love all of the seasons. Obviously spring is beautiful and I am so happy each year to be able to shed the winter clothes, put back on my flip flops and play outside. But that being said I like winter. I like hot chocolate and the holidays. I like bundling up the babies and exploring a frozen world. And, despite all things you hear about the Texas heat, I love summer. (Now, if air conditioners suddenly didn’t exist I am not sure that I would feel the same.) I love the free time of summer, I LOVE swimming and being in the water, I love the sunshine on my skin. And, while there aren’t any seasons that I dread or just don’t like, my favorite is fall. There is something about the weather change and back to school and the leaves that is simply magical. Something happens in fall. Spring may be the time of new life but fall, for me at least, is the time of rebirth. It is a time to be who your set in your heart to be. I love fall. I think it signifies the new year (maybe this is because I was a student and now I homeschool) but fall is when you mature, when you advance, and when you get to reinvent yourself. 

A Month of Natalie - Skill

What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

Can I only pick one? There are so many things I would love to do well but if I had to choose one I would pick writing. Now, I know I am a decent writer, and I can write a pretty decent term paper. I am also working on book, but I would love to be a fabulous novelist. I have to work at and craft my words but I know writers that just sit down and let the stories flow from their fingers. That is the gift that I want. (Brandon thinks I just haven’t found my story yet.) But alas, that is probably my most desired gift. 

A Little Catch Up

I was beyond blessed to get to watch my sweet seven month old nephew last week. He is absolutely adorable. Isn't he....


Well, let me just tell you that while he is the sweetest thing during the day, he is not quite as endearing at night. Actually Brandon and I started calling him the Gremlin. You know, cute, cuddly, and lovable during the  day, not so much at night. Seriously, though he apparently sleeps just fine for both my mother and my sister he didn't sleep for more than an hour at a time the entire week. So, my blog fell behind, horribly. But, I am going to repost the week I missed and then finish out the month strong!

Thanks for reading and thank you more for having patience with me while I was operating in no sleep zombie mode!

A Month of Natalie - Accomplishments

What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

My greatest accomplishment to date is my children. Being a mother is the most reward and the most demanding job ever. The amount of effort I have put into raising and loving my children does not even compare to any other endeavor I have attempted. And, if you know my children, they are amazing and wonderful and intelligent and witty, so I guess it is worth it!

Another thing I am immensely proud of is my education. I worked my butt of in school and I got both my Bachelors and Masters while raising two wonderful children, taking care of my husband, serving the Lord, and often times working! And I completed my Masters with almost all A’s (I only had one B).  School was really hard but I feel like I am a better person, more well rounded, and better equipped to teach my children because of my education.

I would have to say that my marriage is another accomplishment (for both Brandon and I). When we had been married only about two years we separated and almost divorced. We were apart for about five months and it was the worst time in my life. Honestly, we were young and stupid. But one night we met and decided that if we really loved each other (which we did) and, more importantly, if we wanted to honor the Lord, that we would give our marriage our all. We decided then and there that we were never going to get divorced and no matter what it took we were going to work it out. Eight years later, I am SO glad that we made that decision. We have had to learn and grow so much over the years (we got married as teenagers for goodness sakes) but I can’t imagine my life today without my wonderful husband.

Homeschool is another major accomplishment. It takes an immense amount of work to write the boys curriculum. But, honestly, it is worth it, they get to learn about the world in a manner that is directly tailored to them, fun, exciting, and engaging. But oh man were there late nights preparing this years curriculum.

My last but certainly not least accomplishment has to be my Monopoly skills. I don’t think I have won every game I have played but pretty darn close. I love the game (and actually I love it just as much if I lose as if I win) but I have been known to be a little ruthless. (Okay, this one is obviously a joke but I am exhausted, working on about four hours of sleep, and hopefully I have accomplished more than four things in my LESS than thirty years on this planet but tonight all you get is Monopoly; and this just may be the longest sentence in the world, further evidence of my extreme fatigue.) 

Tune in tomorrow to learn what one thing I wish I was great at!

A Month of Natalie - Animal

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I think I would be a gibbon. First of all, they are stinking cute! They also look like they have a lot of fun and enjoy life. Plus their family structure is fabulous. The pick a mate and then remain monogamous for life. Then their offspring just join the family and the live together, swinging from tree to tree, for the rest of their life. They are fiercely protective of their babies (that is me right there). Plus, they get to live in tropical rain forests. 

A Month of Natalie - Strengths

Describe 5 strengths you have.

I am a planner. God has gifted me with the ability to plan things out and then see them through. I think this has a lot to do with why I love writing the boys homeschool curriculum. It is a blast to conceptualize, to talk to the boys about what they want to learn about, to write it, and then to teach it and watch them learn and absorb.

I am a nurturer. I love taking care of people, especially little ones. I love love love playing and cuddling with babies. I like to do little sweet things for other people and to surprise someone with a token of how I feel about them is one of my favorite things in the world to do.

I have the ability to empathize with people. I can almost always put myself in someone else’s shoes. I won’t say that I have never been judgmental, but I think I am pretty good at being able to see things from other’s points of view, for being able to emotionally be there for someone when they are going through a rough time, and for loving people for who they are and where they are.

I am devoted. I am unconditionally devoted to my God, my husband, and my children. Those things in life are not temporal. My heart is fixed on Jesus, Brandon, Ezra, and Elisha. While my relationships with other family members may wax and wane, (sometimes I have to set healthy boundaries) my love for them certainly doesn’t.

I have pretty good discernment. I can usually tell if someone is genuine or if someone is just acting. I can often pinpoint emotions and reasons behind others’ decisions and actions even if they can’t. I am not very often fooled by people. Most times, it isn’t difficult for me to figure out what is going on in someone’s head.                                                            

A Month of Natalie - Typical Day

Describe a typical day in your current life.

There is “typical” day in my life so I will just tell you what I did today and how that correlates to my normal.

Brandon woke me up this morning at 5 a.m. and sweetly asked on his way out the door to work if I had remembered to pack his lunch for work. And honestly, I almost never forget, but I forgot last night. I offered to get up and pack him one but he let me sleep and so I snoozed until 6:30. For whatever reason my mind likes to turn on exactly ten minutes before my alarm goes off which drives me crazy, but alas. I laid there for the sweet and precious moments until 6:40 rolled around and I had to get out of bed.

 Ezra, who had been waiting patiently for who knows how long popped his little head out of his room and asked if he was allowed to get up yet. Since Brandon had already left for work I told him to go get in my bed and we could cuddle.

At about 6:55 I opened the door for Anna and her mother. Anna is the little girl I watch. She is fabulous at going to back to sleep so I laid her down and crawled back into bed with Ezra. Instead of falling back asleep like I had hoped he giggled and played for about twenty minutes before I gave in and told him he could go watch some cartoons until his brother woke up.

At this point in my morning I stole fifteen minutes of quiet, read Titus, and said a quick version of my daily prayers because I could hear that Elisha was also up.

With Anna still snoozing in the pack and play and Elisha and Ezra munching on grapes and watching Veggie Tales I hoped in the shower.

I spent the next hour and a half making breakfast for three hungry children and one sweet little old lady, getting dressed, trying unsuccessfully to pick up the house.

We left the house at 9:30, (it was supposed to be 9:15) and ran to Target. I had to pick up a few things for our small group brunch and grab a card for my wonderful friend Angie who recently adopted a beautiful little girl.

(Now, obviously I don’t have small group every morning but between homeschool groups, curriculum group at church, and a few other things we almost have something have morning.)

I had a fabulous time catching up with the girls from my small group and all the littles played wonderfully.

We left around lunch time, made a quick trip to the gas station and post office and headed home. Since I knew that Brandon would home about 2 we waited and had lunch with him.

While we were waiting Elisha and I worked on reading while Ezra read his novel. (Let me just steal this moment and brag on my baby, who is now reading at least one 100+ page book a week!)

When Brandon got home we had lunch together and then left to go pick up my nephew Zephaniah who is going to hang out with us for a few days.

Usually we do homeschool or swimming or some sort of activity during the afternoons but today we just chilled and played with Zephaniah and Anna. It’s a real treat to have the baby here so we just kind of kicked back and relaxed.

At 6:40 Anna’s mother came to pick her up. I fed Zephaniah dinner, jumped on the computer to do this really quick and now I have to feed the rest of the family.

After dinner the boys will shower, get ready for bed, Brandon will read them  a story while I try to make sense of my house that never really got clean this morning and then I will have some alone time with my sweet husband.