Simple and Relaxing

We have no big extravagant plans for News Year's Eve tomorrow and I am so excited about it! We will have my hubby's son Nate {who we have every other weekend} so we are planning a nice relaxing evening over at my sisters house, yay!

The boys plan to grill steaks {in whats left of the snow} and we'll have all the fixings...I am so very excited about it! I am not quite sure how the boys plan to grill steaks outside in the freezing temps, but I am sure that they have some sort of plan in the works, ha! I love hanging out over at my sisters house. We always have a super fun and silly time, plus the kids {she has 3 that love to play with Nate} always have fun when they get to get together and play!

I can remember when I was in my early twenties {yikes} and New Year's Eve was always such a big deal. The special occasion called for serious planning of the evening as well as a new outfit especially for that night! We always had a ton of fun, but by the end of the night we were always exhausted from the crowds and all the festivities.

It's funny how things change...when I think back on all the parties here and there and the celebrations that always took place, I think "why did I ever think that was fun?" I feel like I am more content now than I have ever been. I am totally content with just hanging out over at my sisters house and just having a low-key night and I couldn't have imagined that for myself just 6 short years ago. Do you find yourself feeling the same way?

I absolutely love that I am spending the holiday with all the people that mean the most to me. I can't think of a better way to start the new year than with my wonderful husband completely surrounded by family. What plans do you have for tomorrow night? Whatever your plans are, I hope that you have a wonderful time...I am so excited to ring in 2010!

I know that God has a perfect plan for us {and you too} and I can't wait to see what blessings unfold for us in the New Year! I will continue to put my trust in Him because only He knows my heart!

Happy New Year's Eve lovelies!! Let the countdown to midnight begin...yay!

Natalie

Excessive All the way Around

Does anyone else think that this is a tad bit excessive? Coffee, tea {unsweet of course} and more tea! By the looks of things I am pretty sure you would think that I was seriously parched and this was all just while I was at work!

The Starbucks cup that you see...I am completely obsessed with it! My best friend Tennyson got me this cup for Christmas and I do not joke when I say that it was probably one of my favorite gifts received! It is an insulated cup so it never sweats and I am definitely not a fan of a sweaty cup, ha! If you don't have this cup you might have not known until just now, but you desperately need it! It is not only super cute, but also fits perfectly in the car.

Which reminds me...I have to bribe my handsome hubby to dig my car out of the ice/snow from the Christmas Blizzard of 2009 {as the news appropriately has dubbed it} for work tomorrow. My car has not moved since Wednesday of last week and this is her current state of snow covered oblivion...

I think that the weatherman has predicted more snow/ice this week! You would think that we were in Montana by the looks of things around here, but no it's just Oklahoma. You never know about the weather around here, it was 60 degrees one day last week then snowing the next! In fact they have a saying that if you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, just wait 5 minutes, ha!

Natalie

In All Her Glory

I thought that before December ended I should probably admit that I am a total procrastinator post pictures of my Christmas Tree, ha! I sure do love how she turned out this year, so without further ado...here she is in all her Glory!

I don't know if you can tell or not, but the tree shirt is actually toole that I bunched around the base with a strand of lights placed underneath. The idea for the lights under the toole was from my sweet friend Brooke, we have the same sense of style and I just love her!

Here is a picture of one of my favorite ornaments...

My tree just isn't complete without the accent of some glittery gold curly-q's...

A little touch of some zebra ribbon placed here and there...

And of course a crown of glitter and jewels placed on top!

Well, better late than never I suppose...I hope that you enjoyed the pics! We are still trying to dig out of the Christmas Blizzard of 2009 around here! Who knew dreaming of a White Christmas could get you a full blown blizzard, ha!

A Very Merry Christmas to You!

We have had a lovely white Christmas here in Oklahoma, in fact a blizzard of a snow storm moved in yesterday to grant my Christmas wish for snow. I absolutely love, love, love when it snows and there sure was plenty of it!

I don't think that my car will be able to move out of the driveway for a couple of days, but thankfully my hubby has a truck that we have been on the move in all day. We had to make Christmas at his Grandparents with all the fam and it sure was fun!

I hope that you have had a wonderful time with your family today celebrating. I am so thankful for my wonderful hubby, family, and friends but I am most of all so thankful for Jesus!

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." John 2: 10-11

Happy CHRISTmas Eve, Eve!

Make a Smilebox invite

She's off the Market...

Did you hear the news?? Oklahoma's very own Carrie Underwood is engaged!

I just think that Carrie is so super cute and always so very fashionable!

She was flashing her new engagement ring at a hockey game this past weekend while watching her fiance at work.

Her Canadian hockey player beau is Mike Fisher...looking very dashing here in his suit and tie!

I have to say that I think they make a pretty cute couple.

Just look at how cute she is here at a hockey game, just watching her man, she is such a beauty!

I hope that you girlie's are having a super great week so far! I can't believe that Christmas is only 3 days away, I am so excited.

I still have not even started wrapping presents which I take great pride in, but I think that I am going to save that until Christmas Eve since I am off work. I still have yet to post a picture of my tree, so hopefully I can get that done tonight!

Natalie

Advent Calendars

My church is doing something really uplifting that I wanted to share with you.

They have created a fabulous Advent Daily Devotional Calendar. Aside from the time that we spend in prayer and in the Word each day, this calendar will provide you with a daily Bible verse as well as a thought/question for the day in preparation for the birth of Jesus. As Christmas time approaches it is important that we remember exactly what we are celebrating...the best Gift ever, Jesus!

There are two calenders that you can choose from. There is an adult calendar as well as a calendar that you can do with the kids as a family. I have added the links below to each calender for you to print out. I made a paper chain out of our devotional...I printed our calendar out, then cut each daily devotional into a strip, making a circle out of each strip, then linking them all together by date. You could make your paper chain more fun by printing your calendar on alternating red and green construction paper, how cute would that be?

Click here for the Adult Calendar

Click here for the Family Calendar

I hope that everyone is having a fabulous day!

xoxo Natalie

HP Giveaway!

This is for sure a giveaway that you don't want to miss out on! Head on over and visit BooMama's Giveaway page and register to win this...

{picture from BooMama's Blog}

That's right friends...a brand new HP Touchsmart 600 computer! Wow, what a prize it would be to win this beauty! Oh and just by heading over to the Blogher site you can enter yourself for 4 more chances to win this lovely HP with 4 other bloggers...yippie!

Merry SITSmas!

{this is my tree from last year...we are headed to the Christmas Tree Farm this weekend}

It's time for the annual Merry SITSmas party today over at The Secret is in the Sauce and you have to check it out! It will be so super fun for sure! They are giving away a different prize every hour, wow!

As a SITS girl we are all about some comment love, so I will be sure to visit as many of my Sitstas as I can today to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas! While you're here, you might want to watch this hilarious video of me and my handsome hubby...I elfed us, ha! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and hope to see y'all back very soon.

I hope that all you girls have a wonderful Holiday season, Merry Christmas!

XOXO,

Natalie

Battle for the Boot

The Razorbacks are playing tonight at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge trying to bring the boot back to Arkansas for the third year in a row! I am so excited about the game, Whoo Pig! My hubby and I will be cheering the Razorbacks to a victory against LSU from the comfort of our living room, ha! I am hoping for a much deserved win against the Tigers...come on Hogs beat LSU and bring back the boot!

Go Hogs Go!

Natalie

Loving the Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I told you about my Thanksgiving menu in my previous post and I am happy to report that it was a huge success, yay! I did what I could last night so that I wouldn't have to run around like a crazy lady this morning to pull it all together...that proved to be the secret to my success.

Now that the kitchen is clean and Thanksgiving Day is coming to a close, I am dreaming of Christmas. The season is upon us and I am so excited, Christmas is my favorite holiday. I have decided that I want to do something a little different on my tree this year, so I am going to do a little online investigation this evening to check out some new ideas.

I always have red and gold accents on my tree full of white lights and I absolutely LOVE it, but I just feel like this year I need a little something else {a little spice} to add to the usual mix. I'm not sure yet, but I am thinking that the addition of some animal print might be exactly what I need on my tree!

With so many things to be thankful for, I have had a wonderful day! I hope that your Thanksgiving was great too!

Natalie

Thanksgiving at the Newlyweds

Billy and I are hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year for the first time and I couldn't be more excited about it!

Here is a list of all the yummy goodness that I will be preparing for the big day...

• Turkey. We always buy just the turkey breasts and cook them since we don't have any fans of dark meat in the fam. Did you know that you can just buy the breast at the store...this was at one time news to me and brilliant I might add. Billy will be smoking the turkey this year which I am sure will prove to be fabulous!


• Mashed Potatoes and Gravy. Need I say more? Each Thanksgiving I am convinced that I could potentially have mashed potatoes running out my ears because I have consumed so many, ha!


• Seven Layer Salad. My mom is going to make this one, it's one of her specialties ...it is definitely a Southern family favorite!
  
  
• Cornbread Salad. I've told you about this one in a previous post...another one of my Southern family's favorites and a must have for any family gathering.


• Green Bean Bundles. If you don't know about these delicious little bundles of love, then you are truly missing out. I will pass on the recipe to anyone that needs it, just let me know.


• Mimi's Dressing. I will be attempting this one for the first time this year so wish me luck! Thanksgiving just isn't complete without some yummy dressing {a.k.a stuffing}to go with your turkey and potatoes.
  
  
• Rolls. What better to compliment an entire plate of goodness? I am just not sure that there's a better one, ha!


• Pies. My mom is making some pies to bring and I am not sure which ones she will choose to make, but they will for sure be delicious! I am sure that after dinner when the pie time is prime I will be too full to even think about eating a single piece, ha!

I have so many things to be thankful for...I am thankful that I have a wonderful husband to share my life with and love unconditionally, I just can't imagine my life without him. I am thankful for our families, who mean the absolute world to me. I am also so thankful for our wonderful friends who we enjoy supporting and sharing our lives with. We are so blessed and most of all I am so thankful to God for all the love and blessings that he has given us!

I have a busy evening ahead of me...I am going to get as much as I can prepped for tomorrow. I am so excited about hosting our first Thanksgiving! I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!

Happy Turkey Day everyone!

Natalie

I Love Sweet Tea and Biscuits...

Insert my scary sweet singing voice...♫♫I'm so excited and I just can't hide it...♫♫

Guess what I was surprised with today...this Fabulous Award!

I was given this adorable award by a sweet blogger friend at Sweet Tea and Biscuits, yay!
You have to check out her super cute blog...it's super southern and simply darling. She's starting a spotlight award that will showcase a new Sassy Southern blogger each week! Can you just imagine how super fun this will be? I am so excited, you have to join in on the fun...don't miss it!

I am so thankful to have received this award! Check out the Sweet Tea and Biscuits blog to see the other Sassy Southern blogs that were chosen and then check out the blogs of these sweet southern ladies. Tomorrow I will be passing this award on to some of my favorite Southern blogger girls.

What a great way to start the weekend off, I love it!

Blind Side

How bad do you want to see this movie?

I think that I cried the first time I saw just the preview for this movie, ha! It was definitely one of those previews that leaves you thinking, I have to see that movie!

The movie is based on the true story of Michael Oher. Michael is a kid from a broken home and is taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do family who help him fulfill his potential. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and with the help of his coaches and adopted family he becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.

The movie stars these two...

Sandra looks pretty fancy...don't you think? Then there's Tim...does anyone besides me think that Tim McGraw doesn't really quite look like himself without a cowboy hat?

I cannot wait to see this movie, I think that it will be so super good! I think that my hubby and I might go see it on Sunday...that is if we aren't putting up our Christmas lights on the house, yay!

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you have a great weekend!

Natalie

Our Christmas Music Video, Ha!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

A Serious Struggle for Nat...

Have you ever had a crick in your neck before?If you have experienced this pain before let me just say, "Bless your heart!"

I have spent the last 4 days on my death bed in bed almost constantly feeling absolutely dreaded. It all started out on Friday, but I woke up that morning with everything feeling fine and normal. Once I got up and started getting ready for work, my neck seemed to get stiffer and stiffer as time went by. I went to work and by mid morning I could not move my head to the side without crying. If you have ever had a crick before, I am sure that you can empathize! The smallest movements (like walking) can trigger the worst possible pain and it's is the kind of pain that just makes you want to cry your little eyes out.

I was able to take a muscle relaxer (which didn't really work at all) and some Ibuprofen to make it to my best friend Tennyson's birthday dinner Friday night at the Melting Pot...this fondue style dinner was totally worth all the pain and anguish because it was so super fun and delicious! Little did I know that this trip to the Melting Pot would be the last departure I made from my house all weekend!

I spent Saturday and Sunday in bed with alternating hot and cold treatments...it was so horrible! I am the type of girl that likes to be on the move so I felt so bad that I was stuck in the bed. I kept telling Billy that I was sorry that I couldn't do this and that, but he was understanding and was a super great nurse!

My sweet Mom came over yesterday and rubbed my neck for 2 hours...I am so thankful for her. After she was done with the rub down, I seriously felt a little better which was a huge milestone compared to the way I had felt 24 hours before! I was amazed that I could actually lift my head up from my pillow without severe pains shooting down my neck, ha!

As I layed in bed all weekend I prayed that God would take this horrible pain away. I was thankful that this little incident happened over the weekend so that I had time to rest without having to miss any work, that was a blessing for sure. I found comfort in Jeremiah 30:17 "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord."

I awoke to a sniff neck this morning and thought that I was back where I started again with little improvements, but I made myself get up and get ready for work. I took all the necessary gear with me to work...this included the hand held massager and the heating pad. As the day progressed my neck started feeling less stiff...Praise the Lord!

I am happy to report that as I sit here at 4pm, all I can think about is all the stuff that I want to do when I get home. I couldn't even blog over the weekend I felt so bad...I could just not get comfortable no matter how I positioned myself! I am feeling back to my old self again and couldn't be more thankful!

I hope that you everyone had a great weekend! I can't wait to catch up with my favorite blogger girls!

Natalie

Seriously Wynonna?

I guess that Wynonna is sad that her career is all but over seeing that she made such a negative comment about sweet Taylor Swift.

Taylor won Entertainer of the Year last night at the Country Music Awards. Wynonna said in an interview with USA Today, "You want my honest comment? It’s too much too soon."

I personally think that there shouldn't be a time frame put on the achievement of success. Who cares that she is only 19 years old, she works very hard and she deserves it!

I watched the CMA's last night just hoping that I would catch a glimpse or performance by you know who...

Needless to say, I was not disappointed! Did you watch the CMA's last night? If you did, who was your favorite?

Natalie

It's Official...

I wanted to write a quick post to fill you in on the good news...

I PASSED MY TRAINING COURSE!

I am officially a Lash Stylist and could not be more excited about it, yay! I will have more details later {since I am at work now} because I definitely want you to know about all the grueling training fun!

Hope you're having a great day!

Natalie

A New Career

Tomorrow and Monday I will be in Oklahoma City for training to become an Xtreme Lash Stylist!

Do you know about this new and fabulous procedure?

Eyelash extensions add length and volume to your natural lashes and look simply fabulous! Can you imagine waking up each morning and having lashes that look like this? I love long beautiful lashes and can't wait to master the technique.

I did hair for a couple of years, but left the salon for a more "stable" career. When you first start doing hair it is SO hard financially since you are trying to build and establish a clientele. As a single girl I had to move on to plan B and leave the salon. I was blessed with a great job and a wonderful boss/office family. After 3 years at my current job I was blessed with an opportunity that I could not pass up.

I know that anytime you make a career change it is most always hard, but I am so excited about the opportunity I have to do eyelash extensions at the same salon that I left just 3 years ago. This job will enable me to have the same income and a more flexible schedule...perfect for a mommy! I know what you are thinking now and no I am NOT pregnant...at least not yet! I can't wait to be back with all the girls at the salon having so much fun!

We have turned it all over to God because he has a plan for us and we trust in Him with all of our hearts! I can't wait to see what the future holds for us...I am super excited!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! My day was wonderful especially because my Razorbacks beat South Carolina!

Go Hogs Go!

Agree to Disagree...

If you caught this post, you already know that I absolutely adore this man...I mean...how could you not love him?While my handsome hubby DOES like George Strait {not as much as me of course}, he DOES NOT like this FANCY lady...
In fact, he would have you think that he'd rather hear you scratch your fingernails down a chalk board than hear her voice! You might ask yourself, "how is this possible?" I know that I have asked myself that question at least a hundred times...I often wonder how this could be possible as I sing "Fancy don't let me down" at the top of my lungs, ha! How can a boy born and raised in Oklahoma not like Reba? She is from Oklahoma as well...as far as I am concerned she should be the pride of Oklahoma in his eyes...not happening, ha!

My HH calls me at work earlier this week and we had the following conversation ...

{insert HH's excited to break the news voice}

HH: Guess who is coming to the BOK center in February?

Me: Who?

HH: I'll give you a hint...it's someone that you've always said you HAD to see in concert.

{insert my giddy, super excited voice}

Me: George Strait?

HH: Yep, he's coming on February 20th. Do you want to go?

Me: Are you really asking me that? Of course I want to go...in fact, I would give my left leg to go! I am so excited, we'll have so much fun!

HH: I was thinking that you could go with your sister or Tennyson (my BFF.)

Me: Why?

HH: Well, guess who's coming with him?

Me: I don't know, who?

{insert HH's not excited voice}

HH: REBA!

{insert me dying laughing}

Me: Oh, you are totally going and I will sing "Fancy don't let me down" to you until I no longer have a voice! You're not getting out of this one...we'll have so much fun!

HH: Okay...

So, here is where we'll be on February 20th

I am so excited and I can't wait! I am sure that we will have a super fun time...we'll be together after all and we always seem to have a fabulous good time!

Is this a Joke?

I usually take a glance at Fox News every morning just to make sure I didn't miss any big news from overnight, ha! This morning I saw this headline and was completely blown away!

Colorado Man Stabs Himself to Miss Work

Straight of the presses from Fox News online, the article said that the man stabbed himself in the leg and made other cuts on his body as well...all as a ploy to miss work that day! While the article does not confirm this, I am sure that this "ploy" was a success and the man did in fact miss work yesterday...so that he could spend some quality time at the police station. He now faces charges for obstructing justice...surely this man won't pull a stunt like this ever again. Further more, I wonder if he still has a job at Blockbuster?

News like this just boggles my mind...the fact that someone would go to such great lengths just to call into work?? His boss must be seriously mean!

It's Almost Time...

I am super excited for this weekend not only because it will be Halloween, but also because Halloween is my sweet little niece Emily's birthday! She is our little pumpkin and such a very sweet little girl...she is such a blessing! Her party is Saturday afternoon and she couldn't be more excited...I think that she has been asking about her birthday for at least the last couple of months, ha!

Remember my sweet little helper?

My precious little Emily will be 3 years old and I can't believe it! I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday...it is so amazing how time goes by so fast! She has the sweetest little heart and can make me melt with her sweet little voice.

I love you Emmy and hope that your birthday is everything that you dreamed of and more!

Hope you are having a great Friday!

Natalie

Bless Martha!

I would have never dreamed that I would have received a compliment from a candy quiz, but I did...ha!

My blogger friend, Traci, over at Her Hillbilly Highness did a post today about a quiz that she had done on the Martha Stewart Blog. The quiz claimed it would tell you what type of Halloween candy you are...it sounded super fun! I rolled up my sleeves and answered the questions to the best of my ability...and the results could not be more correct, ha!

After my score was tabulated it was determined that I am...

Undoubtedly a Snickers To further explain she went on to say, "Your tastes tend to be more complex and multi layered; you like sweets but are most satisfied when they're paired with warm and savory flavors. Your standards are high, and you're most satisfied when they're met, but you don't take offense when they're not."

Thanks for the sweet comment Martha!

Happy Monday everyone!

Natalie

Guess what?!?!

They're back...

Oxygen just signed on for a 5th season of Home Sweet Hollywood! Tori, Dean, Liam, Stella, and the rest of the crew will be back on my DVR as of the Spring of 2010. I am so excited...I can't wait!

While Tori and Dean have been on a "break," these two have been cracking me up!

The season finale of Giuliana and Bill was last week, but I am sure that you can catch the re-runs on the Style network. It is such a cute show and so super funny!

I am getting ready for a football filled day tomorrow...it's going to be a big day for my Razorbacks. Hopefully the day will end with a WIN!

Go Hogs beat the Gators!
I hope that everyone has a super fun weekend!

Natalie

We'll be a House Divided

Well, that dreaded time of the year has arrived yet again! Unfortunately {insert sigh} I am not referring to the fact that there is a crisp in the air and Fall is officially here. What I am referring to is the one game of the year that I absolutely despise dread...Arkansas vs. Florida!

You are probably asking yourself, "what could possibly be so dreaded about a good SEC rivalry?" Well let me put it this way, how would you like to hear the excitement of the stupid Gator Chomp in your living room while you are in another room {of the same house} trying to Call the Hogs to victory?

If I was actually at the swamp it would be one thing, but to have my hubby in the living room of our house plotting a most brutal defeat against my Razorbacks just kills me! Seriously, in a situation such as this there is always that unspoken "code of conduct" that applies to the way that you should conduct yourself in front of your spouse. This "code of conduct" does not in any way take away from the fun and excitement that each individual has in cheering for their team {Go Hogs} on game day. The code does prohibit any sort of violent hand motions similar to the "chomping" of a Gators mouth, or any verbal references made to your competitor {or spouse} as "Gator bait."

I will remain faithful that we will defeat the Gators and I will cheer my little heart out. I am just grateful that my hubby and I have so much fun together watching football, we always have a great time...even when we're playing against each other. It could be way worse after all, what if my hubby's team was not even a team in the SEC? The thought of him trying to encourage me to cheer for a Big 12 team is inconceivable, ha!

Do you and your hubby cheer for opposite teams that play each other like we do? I hope that everyone enjoys this fine Friday Eve!

Natalie

Ready to Run...

Today is the big day...I am starting the Couch to 5K running plan and couldn't be more excited about it! I love to run, but have been out of my routine lazy for quite some time now. When I say, "quite some time" don't let me fool you...it has been the kind of "quite some time" meaning YEARS since I've been an active runner, ha! For those of you who aren't fimiliar with the program you can check it out here. This week-by-week program eases you into running slowly so that you are able to easily stick to the program and accomplish your goal of running a 5K in 9 weeks. The thought of being able to run 3 miles right now makes me really excited because there is no way in heck that I could get out there and just bust out a 3 mile run, yikes!

Tonight will be my first night at it so wish me luck! I will keep you updated on my progress for sure! I hope that everyone is having a good day!

Natalie