Deep Thoughts By Natalie :)

So lately I have had to do some serious thinking about things and I have come to some conclusions. Here they are:

1) I signed up for LDS gems which are daily emails with spiritual thoughts, and I got one yesterday that got me thinking. It was all about the will of the Lord and how we need to earnestly seek that will so that we can aligned our lives with it. I have heard this many times before, but this time it really touched me. Lately I have been so frustrated because my life hasn't been going the way I think it should, and I haven't been getting answers to things I have been praying about. Not just a little frustrated...A LOT frustrated! However, this little email just made me realize that instead of praying over and over again for something I want--I should be praying to more fully understand the real plan for me, and that I can accept that. It's definitely easier said than done, but now that I realize what I need to do I feel better about everything.

2) I have definitely been a "Me Monster" lately!! Let me explain: This past fast Sunday someone got up and started talking about how he realized he had become a me monster. He said that he realized he was so wrapped up in his problems and his needs that he hadn't noticed that there were others who needed him. This has totally been me lately, and as he was speaking I just thought "WOW here is my answer!" I have been sooo concerned with my life and what I want that I have totally become completely self-centered. Remember the gloomy post I made?! That was how I have been feeling, but it kept me from seeing others needs and being a supportive friend. Helping other people is what is ultimately going to make me sincerely happy. My Dad even said in a talk tonight that "if we always have something to complain about we are only thinking of ourselves." So true. (wow, two talks in two weeks?! I think someone was trying to tell me something! haha) I was only making my unhappiness worse by continuing to focus on myself. Even these past few days I have tried out this principle and have felt so much better. It works, try it!

3) Holding grudges is sooooo stupid!! It's not worth it at all! The other day when I was redoing my blog I wrote a quote about when I distance myself from Ben I only end up realizing that I am unhappy without him. (check it out on the side) I have really noticed that lately. I am pretty stubborn, and when I get mad about something its hard for me to just let it go! I know sometimes on my blog it sounds like Ben and I are just so happy and perfect all the time, but we definitely have our fights and problems. Well, a while back Ben and I got in this stupid fight and I would just NOT give in. I ended up ignoring him for 2 days!!! AND what I learned from that was how much I am only just punishing myself when I do that. Those days were miserable for me! Ben is my best friend and without him my day was just lame! It was funny that my Dad also mentioned this tonight in his talk, because I have felt the exact same way lately.

SO!! That is what I am working on in my life right now! Hopefully I can get better at all of these things because they are so important! Also, I have a job interview (FOR A NURSING POSITION!! WOO HOO) Tuesday so wish me luck!! Maybe my new found 'sunshiny-ness' will help! haha.

I woke up with a gothic mullet.

OK so not only did I wake up at 5:00 in the morning on my one day off (so annoying, I have been awake ever since then)...but I also woke up with what I like to call "the Gothic mullet."

This is a pretty new hairstyle creation which I came about by total accident! Now, I know what you're thinking, 'gothic' and 'mullets' are horrendous all by themselves, why add them together?!" But, just let me explain: Last night I colored my hair a really dark brown, probably the darkest color I have ever had. I did this with the intention of Ben putting highlights in it in order to achieve a look I had not too long ago and loved:

Well, Ben got home from work and was really tired so we decided to hold off on the highlighting until today. This idea was was ok because I didn't have school today, but when I woke up this morning I realized just how glad I am that I don't have to show myself in public today!! Not only is this hair color WAY to dark for my VERY snow white skin but I went to bed with wet hair--thus waking up with a "gothic mullet." So if waking up at 5:00 in the morning is not bad enough...I got to wake up feeling very hopeful that I never see another human being again until we fix this!! haha. And yes that story is full of run-on sentences, and yes you are probably thinking "she changes her hair more often than I change my clothes!" but hey, that is just who I am!

Also, (totally changing the subject) check out this little gem I found on the way to my car the other day:

Yep, that's right. Its a sticker on a car that has dripping 806 numbers! Now the reason I made the effort to snap a picture of this little graphic is because I feel that is somehow was meant to state that the 806 is somehow hardcore or dangerously cool! It just made me chuckle because of how ridiculous I think that is. Anyone living in this area code with me will most likely also chuckle and be jealous that I saw it and not them!

Now I realize posting this will only give readers a better clue of where I am and might tip of some unknown blog stalker as to where I live. You are not supposed to give out too much information over the internet, but I figure that my blog stalker probably has a sticker on his/her car that is exactly like this and this person will be proud that I posted it! Anyone creepy enough to stalk is definitely creepy enough to have this on their car!

Bri-zi-dals!

Ok, so I did my first bridals a few weeks ago, and I must say I am proud of the way they turned out! I probably spent way more time on these than I have on any others because I was really trying to get it right. Her one request was that there be "fun" pictures! I finished a while ago but was waiting to post them until after her wedding. Congrats to the new married couple!! Here are some of my favorites: I actually loved so many of these (if I do say so myself) it was hard to choose which ones to post....so I'm putting more on my photo website!

Replacement Post

Ok so I am tired of having that depressing post there right when I get on my blog so I am posting funny pictures of me and my friend Crystal instead!! I have bridal pictures and some family pictures coming soon!! I was really excited about the bridals because it was my first time, and I love how they turned out! But, for now here is me and my friend being dumb!! (we were trying to use a timer to catch us jumping in the air at the same time and that seemed to be way too hard for us...) I feel like I color coordinated with the sky...

Blah

Ok so lately I have had a big rain cloud over my head! I just feel so gloomy lately! There are a number of things in my life that I just keep hoping and praying will work out, and they just WILL NOT resolve!!! I'm running out of patience and energy! I really have no idea how to be satisfied and content right now. I am putting off things I enjoy doing because I feel like what's the point?! I also don't feel like there is anyone who can possibly understand everything I'm going through so it's hard to get it all out to anyone. Others might think I need to just work on faith or not be so dramatic, but I don't think they understand. I want to get over this and be bright and shiny again :)

Our Fabulous Weekend = A Buttload of Blogging!

Ok so this weekend Ben and I traveled to College Station (boo aggies) to visit my best friend Jenny for her birthday!

Background: Jenny and I lived together while I was in Idaho and have stayed close ever since! We did everything together so when I left Idaho I was sad to be leaving her. She is originally from Nevada so I knew I wouldn't be able to see her that often when I moved back to Lubbock! Since then she came to my wedding in Lubbock, I went to her wedding in Nevada, and that is all I have seen her since then. However, in August Jenny and her husband Parker moved to College Station for his schooling so she is closer now!

This little trip came about because Parker sent me an email asking if Ben and I would go surprise Jenny for her birthday! Of course we HAD to go! We left Thursday after school and stayed until Sunday and we had a BLAST! Wow, did we have fun! I am so glad we went and Jenny was so surprised! So the next few posts will be dedicated to that trip!

We got there late Thursday night and just caught up a little. Ben and Parker liked each other so that was nice! We all got along great. Friday we decided to go to the Blue Bell factory and take a tour. The factory was actually 40 min away from College Station so we piled in the car and drove to our destination! When we got there they showed us a video of how Blue Bell started and then we took a tour. It was pretty interesting. Fun Fact: Cookies and Cream is the #2 seller HOLLA!! That is one of my favorites!!
After the tour we went back to the little Blue Bell shop and got some ice cream. Yummy!

(Yes, we wore those hats the whole time we were there. It was definitely a vital part of the experience!)

On our way out we stopped for some picture opportunities!

Jenny and I by the Blue Bell Truck!

Here is Ben and I on the Blue Bell Cow! (Apparently Ben was too cool to wear a Blue Bell hat...lame)

I was going for seriously sexy...except I just look like I'm pouting. haha

Here's Jen and Parker, ride it!

Yay for Blue Bell!

Jenga!

How can I talk about our trip without mentioning Jenga?!?
I wanted to play this game one night and everyone booed it, but we ended up playing anyway. AND We had so much fun playing it! We played a ton of times and actually ended up with the highest Jenga tower any of us had ever seen!! I don't remember the final count on how high, but that thing was very unstable. I'm pretty sure we were laughing the whole time! As it got higher we were all hoping that we wouldn't be the one to knock it down...guess who did?! Me!! But come on!! There was not a single block left that could safely be pulled out! Oh well, we had fun! We played a number of games each night. Fun Times!

Here is the tower....

Parker's turn was right before me...I'm convinced I was sabotaged..haha jk.

Here is Jenny and me trying to get a strategy...

Strategy didn't work...

Right before it fell DANGET! Until that moment I was unstoppable!

George Bush Library

The last day we were in College Station (Saturday) we decided to go see the George Bush (the older one everyone liked) Library which is actually a pretty swank museum. Here are some pics:

Here's Jen and Parker
Falling in...
This is the Berlin Wall Monument
Outside the Library it was beautiful!! I liked this quote on the building...

We took a trip across the bridge to go see where Bush's future grave site...kinda weird. His daughter that died of leukemia is already buried back there.

There was a ton of space stuff there,This picture was the only time Ben actually asked me to take a picture of him...naturally it was with the Lego man! Boys...
We gave a few press conferences while we were there!
Ben had to make a few tough decisions in "The Situation Room"

We met some friendly statues...

Ben was a fan of the boat.and I hung out with some soldiers from Desert Storm
We took a lot more pictures, but I'm tired of putting them on here! The Library was fun. I learned a lot. Living in the White House is a big job!

The Pants Reunite!!

Now aside from all the things we did in College Station, there was one occasion that was extra special!

THE REUNITING OF THE PANTS!!

While at BYU-Idaho we went to a goodwill type store (the DI) to get outfits for the DI dance. Jenny, Paige (Johnson/Storey), and I found these three pairs of pants that were so hilarious we couldn't pass them up. Some would say it was a gift from heaven to find three! That night was so fun, and we had so many good memories that the pants have held a special meaning ever since. Here is the original picture of us wearing them that night:

We wore those pants a lot!!

So...every time Jenny and I get together again we bring the pants and dance it out in memory! So naturally I brought the pants to College Station and here is what happened:
PANTS MANIA!!
(we were pelvic thrusting in the air...)

They are more like art than pants.

Here we are "casually" checking out the balcony.

We were trying to figure out if the pants would work as a one piece. They do...

Every time we put the pants on we feel the urge to pose...all the time!

Even while eating dinner...

So there you have it--the story of the pants! What a beautiful thing.