December 17, 2009
Is that all there is?
(Originally published on Thursday, June 21, 2007)
Thank you (have I said that before?) for continuing to visit NattieRoseWrites.com. I had no intention, I can assure you, of becoming a blogger when—less than a month ago—I posted my first update in my daughter's stead.
Many of you have thanked me for continuing to post. Surely you have noticed that I lack a certain quality that made this site so popular and its author so well loved. I ain't Nattie...OK? (Insert smile, here.)
Sometimes, we parents tend to think of our children as extensions of ourselves. Although we know better, we expect them to adopt our friends, adapt our logic, to assess their situations and make their decisions in the same ways we would. This, however, is rarely, if ever, the case.
Our offspring are the products of their genes and environments, not ours. My Natalie did not get her sweet optimistic spirit from me.
But Natalie isn't blogging anymore. And, now, the updating is done. Although we will continue to grieve indefinitely, we have said our goodbyes. her "Hobbit House" is empty, her accounts closed, her books donated to her church and her library.
Jonathan and Anna miss their Mom, to be sure, but they now live with their dad and look forward to their birthdays in July.
All we have left are memories, a few photographs...and her written words. All I have left to say is a polar opposite to what you have come to expect to read, here.
I know that Nat is having the time of her life, but all I want to talk about is how unhappy I am. I feel sorry for myself—to say nothing of her mom, her kids, her extended family and all her friends—because the world just isn't the same without her.
Because many people still visit daily, I don't intend to remove this blog anytime soon. Fortunately, I am a minority investor in the box that serves the site, and the domain is registered for a few more years.
But I also know that those readers will soon fade away if new material is not added frequently, so I had an idea...
Thanks to Heather, Joanne and Cynthia from W@H, and the internet "Wayback Machine," I have the posts published on the original "Nattie Writes," dating back to mid-2003.
I also have some things she wrote in the years before blogging became such an important part of her life and yours.
If you would like me to periodically post this material—some of it previously published, and some of it not—let me know. Otherwise, I cannot imagine that you would be interested in anything more that I could add.
Thanks for caring! (((((Y'all!)))))
(December 17, 2009—Well, here we are again... Second verse, same as the first... Is anyone interested in a repeat performance?
I wish I had something new to offer. More than that, I wish Nattie were here, writing her own words of insight. I'm batting zero for two.
Though only a fraction of what the traffic once was, a significant number of unique visitors still stops by this site daily. Who are you? Are you looking for something new or another serving of the original? Or is it time to lay her words to rest, as well?
Who is interested in supporting "Team Nattie" at next year's Grant County Relay for Life? What about her church's Rose Reading Garden? I am reluctant to ask for gifts at this time of economic uncertainty, when all of you have friends and family of your own who demand your attention. If anyone is interested, I can re-post that information. Shall we continue? Let me know. Please. And thank you!
Meanwhile, may this Christmas season be most merry for you and yours.)
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)
December 14, 2009
A Card from a Lifelong Friend
(Originally published on Monday, June 18, 2007)
I owe a debt of gratitude to each of you for your good wishes and wonderful comments in Nattie's memory. I also received the following by "snail mail," and now pass it along to you, her friends worldwide. (Thanks to Joy; credit to Hallmark)—Nattie's Daddy
A rose may lose its bloom,
But still the fragrance lingers long.
A bird may fly away,
yet we can still recall its song.
So when someone who is loved departs
to join the Lord above,
They'll live and laugh and be with us
in memories of love.
"Your days of mourning will come to an end."—Isaiah 60:20 (MLT)
Comments((hugs)) glad to see you posting.
Posted by: Jamie at June 18, 2007 03:06 PM
She will never be forgotten, that is true. Thank you so much for updating and letting us know everything that has been going on. I told the girls that you all have been amazing and wonderful for thinking of us, when you don't have to. ((hugs)) and prayers continue.
Posted by: Stacey at June 18, 2007 04:07 PM
You have no idea what it means to me (us) that you, Nattie's Daddy, continued to keep us posted. Thank you so very much.
Posted by: Dawn at June 18, 2007 05:35 PM
This heavenly blue butterfly
will fly high in the sky,
higher and higher.
The sunlight will touch the blue
on its wings until it seems to disappear.
We think it is gone,
because the blue of the butterfly
is the exact same blue of the sky.
We think it is gone,
because our eyes are too weak to see—
and it is difficult to believe what we cannot see.
But the blue butterfly is not gone.
It is still flying, higher and higher,
nearer the sun. Blue against blue.
For now and forever.- Marjolein Bastin
Posted by: Heather at June 18, 2007 07:09 PM
((((((Nattie's Daddy))))))))
Thank-you so much for posting this. It's comforting to see Nattie's blog being updated.Posted by: Sara at June 19, 2007 07:29 PM
Oh my goodness, how did I not know this beautiful soul?? I have been a member of PBS for quite some time and have been reading all of Nattie's entries and all about her....she and I would have been very good friends, my loss:( My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all those that loved and cared for this wonderful person. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Pam
Posted by: Pam at June 19, 2007 08:12 PM
I really just came upon this blog by chance, but I think there was no mistake there. The beautiful words here from both the deceased and loved ones have encouraged me in my own fight against a disease. I realise that it is so important to be thankful for everything we have in life and have the faith that God will heal. Thank you for making this available for me to "accidentally" find. My condolences to your entire family and all friends.
Posted by: Emily at June 20, 2007 01:41 PM
Though I cannot take your pain from you, I can share it.
Posted by: Joy at June 20, 2007 05:31 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:30 AM | Comments (1)
December 11, 2009
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust...
(Originally published on Friday, June 15, 2007)
The sky was clear, the sun was bright and the grass was dusty. A small group of Carters, Wootens and Yorks gathered this morning to say our ceremonial goodbyes to Nattie's earthly remains. Her grandmother Julia read the following words:
We know this small urn holds no "ordinary" ashes, darling. They're all we have left of your beautiful life, and we've come to place them where we knew you'd want them most of all—near your beloved Grandma and Grandpa Wooten.And, no, that isn't all we have left—we have beautiful memories of your valiant spirit, your wonderful testimony of faith and trust in God, and your radiant triumph over all the pain life brought you.
The word "beautiful" has been used with purpose—that is how we will always remember you—our beautiful little girl...our Natalie Rose.
Rest in peace, darling; we'll see you "in the morning."
Then we took some pictures, exchanged a few more words and tearful hugs, and went our separate ways. Angel and Karla are helping Mary clean out the "hobbit house" apartment.
Four weeks ago today, Natalie phoned to tell me she was sick. What happened?—Nattie's Daddy
Comments
HUGS TO YOU ALLPosted by: Heather/DB at June 15, 2007 03:56 PM
(((Nattie's Daddy)))
Posted by: Cheri at June 15, 2007 04:10 PM
This whole episode has been so surreal. I can't imagine what it would be like from a parent's perspective. Again, I will be praying for you, Aunt Mary and the rest of the family. We will never understand this side of heaven, but God's plans are perfect. I know we will see Natalie again.
Posted by: cousin mark at June 15, 2007 04:11 PM
It's the hardest thing - to try to reconstruct your life without Nattie Rose. We try to go on - to pick up where we left off - to live. Yet the best we can do sometimes is just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Blessings on you all. Like Cousin Mark says, we'll meet again!
Posted by: Joy at June 15, 2007 04:32 PM
My heart goes out to you all and my prayers are said for you all. ((hugs)) I wish I could do something to take the pain away, but I know I can't. I will think of and pray for you all often.
Posted by: Stacey at June 15, 2007 04:39 PM
Much love and hugs as you move forward. Know that you are being prayed for daily!!!
Posted by: Leann at June 15, 2007 06:40 PM
*shakes head* It just feels so wrong. It's all happened so fast. My heart and my prayers and my tears are with you.
Posted by: Jojo at June 15, 2007 06:49 PM
I wish I had the right words or that I could make it all better for you, Mary and all who soo deeply love her...but as another has said, sometimes the best we can do is put one foot in front of the other...please KNOW, you are loved and prayed for often...
Posted by: Cynthia at June 15, 2007 07:23 PM
(((((GEOFF)))))
Posted by: Heather at June 15, 2007 08:29 PM
I reinterate what others have said -- PLEASE know you are loved and prayed for often. As hard as it is for us to think about rebuilding without Nattie, we know is is so much harder for you.
Posted by: Maria at June 15, 2007 08:45 PM
Everyone who's posted before me have said it much better than I can. I truly think one day God will make it all clear, but for now, I shake my head in disbelief. You are being remembered in many prayers by people who live literally around the world.
Posted by: vickig97 at June 15, 2007 08:54 PM
I am so glad you were able to lay her to rest today, in a manner befitting a princess. I will miss her until heaven.
Posted by: Pattie at June 15, 2007 10:53 PM
Geoff, thank you for allowing us to share in your celebrations and your grief. You are a wonderful man, and a special family, and I thank God that Nattie had you for 33 years.
Please don't hesitate to ask for anything.
God bless!
Posted by: Valerie at June 16, 2007 12:02 PM
Prayed a prayer for you to have a happy father's day! Thinking of you. Thanks for the posts that you have shared.
Posted by: Nancy S. at June 17, 2007 01:56 AM
Nattie's daddy...Thank you for continueing to post things on Nattie's site. I think she would be proud that you have continued to do this in her honor. I think its awesome!! I will miss her sweet spirit that I saw every Sunday she was in church.
Dee
Posted by: Dee Hurst at June 17, 2007 07:40 AM
Nattie's Daddy, I'm so glad you're posting here. You're being remembered often in many, many prayers.
Posted by: Vicki G. at June 17, 2007 06:24 PM
I know Nattie would want it said, "Happy Father's Day." And she'd *really* want the happy for you.
Posted by: Jamie at June 17, 2007 06:58 PM
I was just thinking of you on this Father's Day. I can't imagine what it feels like, but I know it is not good. So, I am sending a cyber hug your way.
Posted by: Heather at June 17, 2007 10:09 PM
We're praying for you, Uncle Geoff! You are loved! Michelle
Posted by: michelle at June 17, 2007 11:06 PM
Happy Father's Day.. my prayers and thoughts are with you on this day, and everyday to come. y
Posted by: Erik at June 18, 2007 02:30 AM
Natalie was such an encourager for us women at Curves. Who knew all that she was going through? SHE preached the most uplifting funeral service I have ever heard. Thank you, Nattie. I won't forget your positive spirit, God's Girl!
Thank you, family, for the book donation to the Alex library, which she frequented on a nearly daily basis. Her love of reading is "legendary"-parents, you no doubt instilled that in her.
In her brief time with us she touched SO MANY lives in wonderful ways. We are privileged to have known her.
Sending my warmest thoughts & prayers to all her family and friends.
Susan
Posted by: susan at June 18, 2007 08:30 AM
We just got back into town, so my Happy Father's Day for you is a day short.. Sending you hugs, love, prayers, and a world full of WAH love to you. You are woven into our hearts. Love, Cathie Jo
Posted by: Cathie Jo at June 18, 2007 02:41 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:53 PM | Comments (0)
December 10, 2009
Letters from Mommy's journal
(Originally published on Thursday, June 14, 2007)
(Written the day before her surgery; Natalie passed on a week and a half later.)
Dear Jonathan,
You are my first-born, my precious baby boy. You have gotten so big I can't believe you are almost as tall as me or that you'll be 9 this July.
I want you to know that I love you. I know I haven't always been the best mommy but know this much—no matter what—I will always love you.
You are such an amazing little guy. Never stop dreaming, imagining or being creative. I know that if you want to you can be a great artist someday. You already are an artist.
Believe in yourself. I do.
Again, I love you. Never forget that.
5/26/07
Dear Anna,
My sweet baby girl—being your mom has been a joy.
I am only sorry that I've been sick so much of your life. I'm sorry that we haven't cuddled more, that you haven't read more to me. You are such a smart little girl. Yes, I called you a little girl because even though you are almost 7—you are my baby girl.
You are going to do just fine—in school and in life.
Never forget that mommy loves you, and so does God.
Mommy
5/26/07
Copyright Natalie Rose York
CommentsWords cannot express how much emotion is within me when reading these entries. She's an amazing woman and truly a wonderful mother. Thank you for posting them.
Posted by: Erik at June 14, 2007 05:18 PM
I will continue to pray for Jonathan and Anna Nattie. You were a good mother. Many times I have thought that I was a horrible mother but my children are grown now and they tell me I was a good mom...even though I was a little crazy sometimes. We will miss you!!
kisses and hugs,
Dee
Posted by: Dee Hurst at June 17, 2007 07:35 AM
Oh my god, I've got tears running down my face.
The kids are in my thoughts...
You're doing a great job keeping her memory alive.
Posted by: Michelle at August 4, 2007 04:14 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)
December 09, 2009
Happy? Birthday
(Originally published on Wednesday, June 13, 2007)
I just had to mention—if for no other reason than to try to get a little bit of this selfish grief for my loss of Natalie's earthly presence off my back—I also have to suffer another birthday, today. (No flowers, please!)
I think I shall, henceforth, swear off Father's Days, entirely; wish I could do the same with the annual reminder of my advancing years. And, Anne, if you tell any of these young ladies how many, you know what's going to happen on November 12!
Meanwhile, my amazement over Nattie's outreach continues to grow. As the subject hadn't come up in several months, I had neglected the server logs for this site. I finally ran them last night, and to use a Nattie-ism, "It blew my socks off!" On June 7, 1,027 people visited NattieRoseWrites.com. I am sorry she can't tell you how much she appreciated each one of you...so I will try.
Thank you very much!—Nattie's Daddy
PS: Angie, Cheryl, Cynthia, Heather, Joanne and Valerie—You and your companions are part of Nattie's W@H family, and we were more than grateful to have you represent the rest of your sisters.
Mark—We all appreciate the effort you put forth—along with cousins David (North Carolina) and Laurie (also members of John's family from Florida and Texas)—to attend. Your musical contributions, as well as your dad's, couldn't have been more appropriate. I do hope we have a happier reason to meet the next time.
Comments(((hugs)))
Posted by: Stacey at June 13, 2007 03:13 PM
Oh, I'm so sorry... Know that we are all thinking of you and praying for you today and this coming weekend.
And we promise not to speculate on the number on your driver's license. :)
Posted by: Jojo at June 13, 2007 03:39 PM
Happy Birthday Natties daddy. Praying for you all. Cathie Jo (one of the 11 Wah girls)
Posted by: Cathie Jo at June 13, 2007 04:40 PM
Happy Birthday. I'm praying for your family.
Posted by: N. Vasillis at June 13, 2007 05:43 PM
Well, if Nattie were here, she would tell us how old you are so we could all snicker at you. ;) Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Heather at June 13, 2007 06:07 PM
Happy Birthday, Uncle!
Posted by: cousin mark at June 13, 2007 06:31 PM
Happy Birthday Daddy!! And know that Nattie has whooping it up in heaven for you today and for you this weekend! She hasn't forgotten her daddy...
Posted by: StephanieG at June 13, 2007 07:24 PM
Well, on November 12, by most standards I'll qualify for senior citizens' discounts, and you will always be my older brother. But that's all I'll tell. :-)
I hope the well wishes brought at least a smidgen of pleasure to your day.
Love ya'
Posted by: Anne at June 13, 2007 08:03 PM
Happy Birthday, Nattie's Daddy. I miss your girl a lot. I'm happy my friends were there to tell you how much we loved her.
Posted by: Pattie at June 13, 2007 08:36 PM
Happy Birthday --
I will be thinking of you and praying for you at this time each year -- I know what it is like to have your own birthday remind you so painfully of a dear one you have lost. I was born on my favorite Grandmother's birthday and now since her death 3 years ago, May 15 still has an empty to it.
Posted by: Maria at June 13, 2007 09:25 PM
I have been praying for you today. I will pray for you on Sunday as well.
Posted by: Dawn at June 13, 2007 09:46 PM
I wish for you, this particular birthday, many moments bathed in the sweetness and comfort of the Savior. Each birthday brings you that much closer to that glorious reunion with your precious Natalie Rose.
Posted by: vickig97 at June 13, 2007 09:50 PM
well I will say happy birthday anyway, because I for one am glad you are here to be this connection for those of us in the far reaches of the world (or at least the continental US).
I know this one is a hard one, but hopefully, even though the missing won't be less, the enjoying will come easier.
God bless you!Posted by: Dana at June 13, 2007 09:59 PM
I 2nd what Dana said, and that goes for those of us over here in England too!
Posted by: zoe at June 14, 2007 09:30 AM
Happy Birthday, Nattie's daddy :) I'm glad you are continuing to post - and thank you for sharing that AMAZING number of visitors to Nattie's blog on June 7th. She touched a lot of hearts, that Nattie of yours - and I think she'd be smiling that you are continuing to blog her blog. *hugs* to you on what I know must be a bittersweet day.
Posted by: Wendy at June 14, 2007 10:05 AM
Happy Birthday Nattie's Daddy...if I were there I'd give you a big ole birthday hug and a thank you for being a loving daddy to your Nattie.
(((((HUGS)))))
Posted by: Cynthia at June 14, 2007 10:54 PM
*iii*Happy Birthday*iii* Nattie's Daddy!
Just seeing this site updated on my bloglines makes me happy!
I know this weekend will be hard, know that I am continuing to hold you all up in my prayers.
Posted by: Cheri at June 15, 2007 10:02 AM
Happy Birhtday Natties DADDY! we are praying for you and your family
Posted by: Pat at June 15, 2007 10:51 AM
I also know that empty feeling -- having been born on my Daddy's birthday. With him gone now, there's that Daddy-shaped hole in the birthday remembrances.
Posted by: Joy at June 15, 2007 04:25 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)
December 07, 2009
In Memoriam
(Originally published on Monday, June 11, 2007)
Natalie's memorial service is over. It truly was uniquely a blogger's send-off.
Her former pastor Brent spoke almost entirely in Nattie's own words from this site. Her cousin Mark from Colorado Springs played the piano and sang the last song she posted here. Blogging buddies Heather and Joanne read a passage they had resurrected overnight from the crashed "Nattie Writes" on the Internet Archive. Another cousin, Laurie from Auberry, California, read several comments posted June 7 in response to the question on the W@H site—"What do you love about our Nattie Rose?" All brought laughs and tears in similar amounts.
Thank you to Nat's Internet friends Valerie (Missouri), Joanne (Washington), Angie (Indiana), Cynthia (Illinois), Cheryl (Missouri), and Heather (Mississippi), who traveled to help us celebrate her life. We also appreciate the rest of you who joined us and our Natalie Rose, in spirit.
On a related note, the funeral director told me that the only person to get more guestbook entries on the Home's website was Bill Gaither's dad. Rock on, Nat!
I still do not intend to make this my blog, but I do have a few more things that I want to post in the not too distant future, so check back at your leisure.
Thank you for your prayers and good wishes.—Nattie's Daddy
CommentsI am truly in awe over all that was shared and how many people Nat touched. I do not pretend to even try to fathom God's plan in all of this, however, I do think that one small part of this plan was to show us how many people we touch over the course of our lives no matter how long or short they may be. We do appreciate the effort that you have put into keeping us up to date and sharing your heart here with us.
Posted by: Maria at June 11, 2007 09:21 PM
So glad you continue to write, truly. I have Nattie's blog on my Bloglines, and I just don't have the heart to delete it. My heart jumps whenever I see there's been a new post. I won't complain if you take it over. :)
Posted by: Lisa Gray at June 11, 2007 10:03 PM
I want you to know that W@H has been, and God willing will continue to be, a wonderful group of women who have supported and loved each other in a deep friendship. Many of those who attended Nattie's memorial service were calling and posting those of us who could find no way to be there in person. I would not have thought it possible, but Nattie managed, even in returning Home to her heavenly Father, to bring us closer than we were before. That's so Nattie.
And I concur with Lisa...I'm not ready to say goodbye to Nattie's blog, to her words, to her impressions upon people. I welcome your posts, and thank you for connecting the ladies and other bloggers in sharing with us her prayer needs, your prayer needs, the update on the memorial service, etc. As long is it remains a source of celebrating her life and of peace for you, I will remain a loyal reader.
Peace be with you,
JamiePosted by: Jamie at June 11, 2007 11:14 PM
Thank you for letting us who are far away share in remembering our dear Nattie. Though I only knew her through W@H I am grieving her physical absence from us, yet still rejoicing she's with her Lord. Please keep us updated how you and the family are doing. I'll continue reading as long as you desire to keep writing.
I agree with Jamie that through her death W@H is closer than ever, if that's possible. Whenever I see someone being encouraged or prayed for I think of Nattie and her influence on our lives.
I miss you Nattie!!!11Posted by: Jen at June 12, 2007 09:30 AM
My Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family!
Posted by: Kelly at June 12, 2007 09:44 AM
...we were sooo excited when we found her crashed journal entries and amazed that they gave the words to share at the memorial service.
I too, will keep checking here for updates.
Thank you sooo much for your gracious welcome of our presence during such a difficult & emotional time in your lives, it was an honor for us to be there, representing every single lovely WAH lady.
In Him!
Sending Hugs & Love...
CynthiaPosted by: Cynthia at June 12, 2007 10:52 AM
Thank you so much Nattie's Daddy for keeping us "posted" and we welcome your future posts as I join the ranks of those who just can't seem to bring herself to hit unsubscribe on bloglines...I miss her terribly and hitting that button, well, it just seems to FINAL. She was an amazing woman and I have no doubt that was thanks to having an amazing mommy and daddy. I look forward to your posts and thank you for including those of us who could not attend the memorial service. We were DEFINITELY there in Spirit.
Posted by: StephanieG at June 12, 2007 12:34 PM
The only reason Nat didn't beat Bill's dad is b/c some people still don't know. ;)
Thank you for letting us be a part of Nattie's send off. Thank you for treating us like family this weekend. It was an honor I will never forget.
Posted by: Heather at June 12, 2007 02:09 PM
Dear Natalie's Daddy,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!
May you be bathed in the warmth and comfort of Jesus' love on this, YOUR day. Nattie wasn't a special lady by accident; she was the product of parents who loved her dearly and taught her well.
Posted by: vickig97 at June 13, 2007 08:16 AM
I, too, have appreciated your updates and thoughts, and still check in on Nattie's blog each day. We miss her, and the things you are sharing about her are solace to us all.
Posted by: Robin at June 13, 2007 11:36 AM
Dear Uncle,
It was great to see you after sooooo many years. I am truly sorry for the circumstances in which we met again. I was honored to be able to help out in a small way to celebrate the beautiful life of a beautiful woman. I would encourage you to write as Nattie's daddy.
I found a letter that mom wrote about her father. She wrote it in March of 1992 a month after he died. In that letter she mentioned how grandpa loved each of his grand-children. She mentioned that grandpa loved receiving letters from Natalie. It was nice to see that her writing skill was appreciated at a younger age. She touched a lot of lives. More lives than we will ever know.
Posted by: cousin mark at June 13, 2007 12:09 PM
I am glad I had the opportunity to meet you at Natalie's memorial this weekend. I can't even express how much we appreciate how you welcomed us with open arms. My anniversary is today, and when I heard it was also your birthday, it made today even more special for me, as now I will always have a connection of today with my beloved Natalie.
Posted by: Cheryl at June 13, 2007 02:10 PM
Prayers continue to go up for God's comfort for you and your family!
Posted by: Nancy S. at June 13, 2007 02:41 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2009
A few necessary details...
(Originally published by Nattie on Friday, June 08, 2007 )
A brief obituary and memorial arrangements are now posted. You may sign the guestbook there, and/or leave comments here.
As always, we thank you, sincerely, for all your thoughts, prayers, and expressions of concern.
CommentsDear Friends and Family of Natalie Rose,
I wish mere words could make you feel the comfort I long to give to you. Nattie is a woman greatly loved by many; she made an indelible mark upon the lives and hearts of people literally around the world. What a blessing to have known her even for a short time.
Posted by: vickig97 at June 8, 2007 06:27 PM
Thank you for keeping us updated. It was good to meet you today.
Posted by: Heather at June 10, 2007 03:24 PM
i'm so, so sorry. thank you for including those of us who only knew Nattie from the blogosphere in your sorrow. may the Lord comfort you and give you peace!
Posted by: alisonwonderland at June 10, 2007 08:37 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
December 03, 2009
Natalie Rose "Nattie" York
delivered on
December 15, 1973;
returned to Heaven
June 7, 2007.
CommentsOh, I'm so sorry to read this news.
Nattie's family, please know your daughter will remain in our thoughts and that we wish you only good memories to sustain you through the hard days to come.
Posted by: sprite at June 7, 2007 11:37 AM
What a beautiful picture.
I am so very sad and my prayers are with her family. She is a precious friend.
Posted by: Pattie at June 7, 2007 12:06 PM
I praise our Lord that Nattie is in the presence of Jesus and in no more pain. I am pleading the Lord for His peace that passes all understanding for you, her Mommy and her Daddy and her little children.
Posted by: Dawn at June 7, 2007 12:06 PM
She will always be loved and missed. Such a terrible loss. My best wishes to her loving family.
Posted by: Tiff at June 7, 2007 12:10 PM
I'm seriously so sad about this. Much prayers to your family. Nattie, please say "Hello" to my mother for me. You both have so much in common. Rich in love and strength with a body that couldn't support it.
Posted by: maricar at June 7, 2007 12:11 PM
May her memory be eternal.
Praying for your family.Posted by: Linda M at June 7, 2007 12:11 PM
I have tears. My deepest sympathy.
Posted by: Lisa Jean at June 7, 2007 12:21 PM
I'm so sorry to hear this. She was far too young to die. I'll be thinking about Nattie's family, including her precious children who she loved so dearly.
Posted by: kookiejar at June 7, 2007 12:34 PM
I love you, Nattie! I can't wait to see you in Heaven.
Posted by: Dana at June 7, 2007 12:42 PM
Natalie will truly be missed.
Natalie's family you are still in my thoughts.
AmyPosted by: Amy at June 7, 2007 12:54 PM
Oh, my, she was beautiful. You are wonderful to share these precious moments with us. My deepest sympathy to you all.
Posted by: Debi at June 7, 2007 12:54 PM
Oh Nattie...Le Sniff
My prayers are with yall. Thank you for the gift of Nattie, may her spirit and spunk live on in Jonathan and Anna.
Posted by: cheri at June 7, 2007 01:01 PM
My heart rejoices for Nattie . . . oh! to wake up in the presence of the very One she loved so dearly!!! But my heart aches for her family and friends who love Nattie so dearly. (Love, not loved...the love continues, even though Nattie has moved to her Heavenly home.)
I'm thinking of the book, "90 Minutes in Heaven." To know that Nattie is at this very moment experiencing everything written about in that book . . . A-Ma-Zing!!!
Posted by: vickig97 at June 7, 2007 01:20 PM
I'm so sorry to hear this. Nattie will be missed. Many prayers are being sent out to her fammily.
Posted by: Stephanie at June 7, 2007 01:24 PM
I am sooo soooo sad...my heart is breaking for our loss, for you her parents, for her CHILDRENS loss.
I KNOW that being face to face with the LORD of LORD and KING of KINGS, she NO LONGER needs the faith that we sooo desparately need right now, for she SEES Him who has LOVED her and for His own reasons, beyond ours, has called her home.
I PRAY for her precious children and that God will, who is ABLE and WILLING, redeem and reap glorious treasure and blessing from this for Himself and them.
To Him who is able to do abundantly ABOVE ALL that we could ask or think...we rest in You oh Lord and trust, knowing that You are in control of ALL that we dont understand and cant wrap our human brains and hearts around. We stand firmly before the throne, in all our emotions, loving and trusting You.
Posted by: Cynthia at June 7, 2007 01:27 PM
I left the other comment before I saw this. I am so sorry...my prayers will continue for your sweet family.
Love,
BluePosted by: Blue at June 7, 2007 01:27 PM
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I am so very thankful that I knew Nattie, even if it was just online. *hugs* You are all in my prayers.
Posted by: Monika at June 7, 2007 01:35 PM
I love you, Nattie...
To Nattie's family -- know that many, many loved and adored her. We will miss her.
Posted by: Angela Giles Klocke at June 7, 2007 01:38 PM
Words can't express my sadness at losing the fight to the cancer.
Words can't express my joy for her gain at standing before the Lord whole and healed.
Prayers for all of you...cheers of praise for Nattie beating us all there. She can help show us around up there one day. You know she will be grand at that.Posted by: Kathie at June 7, 2007 01:42 PM
She touched my life in so many wonderful ways.
My prayers are covering your family!
Posted by: Ashley T at June 7, 2007 01:48 PM
I am so blessed to have Nattie as my friend. I will miss you forever, babe. Looking forward to that day when I will see you again.
Posted by: Cheryl at June 7, 2007 01:57 PM
My thoughts and prayers are being lifted for all of Natalie's family and I am awaiting the great reunion someday soon... Her profound spirit touched so many of us and I am thankful to have known her here on earth!!!
Posted by: Leann at June 7, 2007 02:09 PM
Oh how my heart aches for the loved ones left to go on without her here on this earth. I will pray for each of you. I rejoice for Nattie's release from pain. {{{Hugs}}}
Posted by: Tina at June 7, 2007 02:11 PM
Thanks to Natalie for all the fun talks we had while doing nursery duty at church. Had you only been able to go on the mission trip with me to New Orleans last year, so I would have gotten to know you better. As I observed your sweet spirit at church, you truly were a woman of God. I am honored to have known you. You will always remain in my mind and in my heart.
Posted by: Dee at June 7, 2007 02:57 PM
My heart aches for each of you who have lost such a wonderful and dear friend. I pray for Peace and Comfort to wrap it's arms around you and carry you through this time. May the Lord of all life bless each of you this day with the Hope that comes from knowing Him.
Because He lives .... B.
Posted by: Betty at June 7, 2007 03:29 PM
Nattie, I'm so glad that you're not suffering or in pain anymore. I love you so so much - and cannot WAIT until we get to dance around the throne together.
To Nattie's family: my heart is absolutely broken for you all. I just cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. I'm praying for Anna & Jonathan, and for you ALL to be held in perfect comfort and peace as you mourn the passing of your sweet Nattie.
Much love,
Posted by: Sara at June 7, 2007 03:52 PM
I am so so sorry for you tremendous loss. I know Nattie is in the presence of our Saviour, which brings comfort. But I know it's still so hard & this will be so difficult for her children & parents. I will continue to pray for you all.
Posted by: Jane at June 7, 2007 04:01 PM
To Nattie's Family, I am so sorry for the pain that your hearts must endure.
To Nattie..Run free without pain, and know that those left behind will be alright. After all, they have a wonderful guardian angel now.Posted by: kim at June 7, 2007 04:06 PM
Words are empty, but as I told Nattie, words are all I have to offer. Nattie was the most beautiful spirit. I spent the last 5 years or so watching as she healed and grew and was recreated. She has always been pure joy in my life, and her memory will always bring me joy.
Posted by: Heather at June 7, 2007 04:30 PM
I'm so stunned. Nattie Pie, I love you, sweetie. Rest in the arms of Jesus, honey.
Posted by: Amy Jo at June 7, 2007 04:51 PM
Peace has come over Natalie's body and her pain is no more. She is in Heaven with God eternally and always watching us from above.
She got her ocean now and forever. I pray for all of you, her family and for Jonathan and Anna. May God wrap you in His love and understanding. If you need anything, please let us know. The church family is ready and willing to do anything and everything. Natalie was always ready to jump in and help and she so loved the Lord, it showed in all she did and said. I am truly blessed to know her and I will carry her courage and love in my heart always.Posted by: Jen Lewis at June 7, 2007 05:05 PM
My dear cousin, I will miss you. I will miss not getting to know you better. You are definitely in a better place with your Lord and Saviour. May God pour comfort on the family. I will continue to pray for your children, Aunt Mary, Wes and Uncle Geoff.
Posted by: cousin mark at June 7, 2007 05:12 PM
I sit here not knowing really anything to say. I'm not crying for Nattie, but for those of us who grieve for her...especially her children whom I know had no rival in her love. To Nattie's parents, I can only say how strong a testimony was she to the love and direction you provided her. I'm very glad to have known Nattie, although only via cyberspace. She supported me in prayers often, and I can only hope that my prayers supported her.
Posted by: Jamie at June 7, 2007 05:14 PM
I love you Nattie-pie and will miss you FIERCELY!!! To Nattie's family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by: Crissy at June 7, 2007 05:29 PM
I'm praying for your family that the Lord will wrap His arms around you at this time.
Posted by: 3M at June 7, 2007 05:30 PM
We're praying for you all, what a loss for all of us.
Posted by: Shanna at June 7, 2007 06:21 PM
Im sorry ab your loss. I didnt know Nattie, but I am praying for your family.
Posted by: Rachel at June 7, 2007 07:00 PM
To Nattie's family: My heart goes out to you all. May God pour His love and comfort over you as you cope without your dear, sweet Nattie. She will be missed.
Posted by: Kim (Coffee and a Muffin) at June 7, 2007 07:00 PM
Dear Nattie,
I miss you, sweet-tart. I can't imagine the loss or grief your family feels right now but please know we are praying for your children and your parents.In my mind's eye, I see you sitting next to your overflowing bookcases in your cute little apartment. You sure knew how to fill up on reading material. I miss your saucy little retorts and witty one-liners and the perfect mixture of sweet and tart that made you who you were.
I'll never forget you.
Posted by: Janet at June 7, 2007 07:09 PM
I am sorry for your loss. I first met Nattie in a yahoo writing group a number of years ago and that's how I found the W.A.H. group. I was very inspired by her writing and impressed with her willingness to share her faith. Nattie greatly impacted my life!
Posted by: Nancy S. at June 7, 2007 07:21 PM
I am so shocked to read this this morning and so, so sorry. My heart goes out to Nattie's family and her friends. May they know the peace which passes understanding.
Posted by: Anne at June 7, 2007 07:38 PM
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss and my prayers and thoughts are with your family. Nattie will be missed and I'll be completing the Newbery Challenge that she started in memory of her. What a kind soul she was. One of a kind.
Posted by: Chris at June 7, 2007 07:46 PM
im so sorry know im praying 4 all of you
i am a part of WAH tooPosted by: Heather/DB at June 7, 2007 09:26 PM
saddened by our loss, rejoicing in her HEALING and her JOY at being with JESUS..
please know in the days ahead, her family will be in our prayers, and NATTIE will be in our hearts forever..see you there, NATTIE girl!
Posted by: susan mc at June 7, 2007 09:40 PM
Words cannot begin to express how sorry I am for the loss of Nattie. I only knew her online and she amazed and inspired me. You all continue to be in my prayers. ((hugs))
Posted by: Aleta at June 7, 2007 09:42 PM
I can't believe it.
I don't know what to say. I'm stunned.
Posted by: Ann at June 7, 2007 09:57 PM
To Nattie's family and friends: Nattie was indeed special and touched my heart - not an easy thing to do across the miles of cyberspace, and yet she did; which speaks to her heart and the kindness she poured out and her light, which was so bright. I have no doubt that Nattie is with God. Please know I am praying for strength for you to deal with her loss. And know, she made a difference and will be missed. Nattie we love you!
Posted by: Wendy at June 7, 2007 11:10 PM
No words seem adequate right now...We continue to pray fervently for you all!
Posted by: Michelle at June 7, 2007 11:59 PM
may peace wiht with nattie as she stands in the arms of her precious jesus. she's whole. . . no longer in pain and no longer siffering.
she was an amazing woman.
Posted by: mari at June 8, 2007 01:04 AM
I'm sitting here in tears stunned - I so thought Nattie would pull through... I prayed and believed for her healing here on earth, not up in heaven.
My heart, prayers and thoughts go out to Jonathan and Anna, and also to her parents who have sat by her side through it all and kept us updated, and the remainder of her family and friends.
God bless
Elizabeth
New ZealandPosted by: Elizabeth at June 8, 2007 01:26 AM
I am so sorry to read this news. My thoughts are with you all.
Posted by: Quixotic at June 8, 2007 05:52 AM
I am so sorry for your loss. I just started reading her post's today and I feel like I've known her forever.. My thoughts and prayers are with her whole family.
Angela
Posted by: Angela at June 8, 2007 06:50 AM
I was just getting to know her in our "Something About Me" Reading Challenge, where I posted the sad news:
http://somethingaboutmechallenge.blogspot.com/2007/06/death-in-our-group.htmlThe whole family will be in our prayers. Thanks, "Daddy," for posting her dictated thoughts this week.
Posted by: Bonnie Jacobs at June 8, 2007 06:55 AM
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I didn't know Nattie personally but enjoyed her blog and her writing. I also know how it feels to be relieved that the person you love is no longer suffering but to be missing them here on earth.
My prayers are with you all.Posted by: Tiffany at June 8, 2007 07:37 AM
I will miss you Nattie
Posted by: Maria at June 8, 2007 07:40 AM
I am deeply saddened by your loss. Sympathy, thoughts, hopes, and prayers for all of you.
Posted by: Laura at June 8, 2007 07:59 AM
Nattie touched so many people in so many ways. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this sad time. We'll miss her gentle kindness.
Posted by: Robin at June 8, 2007 08:51 AM
I am so very sorry for your loss. Y'all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Tammy at June 8, 2007 09:49 AM
I love you Nattie. I will miss your royal highness until I can see you again.
Posted by: Misty at June 8, 2007 10:09 AM
I too am a blogger "friend" and only recently really got to "know" Nattie when she joined my reading challenge and chose 5 books that said something about her...
I've been following this horrifying turn of events and not commenting because it's a strange situation to find oneself in -- having a "friend" that you feel so much for, but have never met.
Now I'll just say to her family - thanks for keeping us updated here and my heart and prayers go out to you in this sad, sad time.
Thank goodness we all believe that Nattie is safe in Heaven this morning. What a lovely comfort and I hope it helps you get through this.
Posted by: Lisa at June 8, 2007 11:53 AM
I will miss you Nattie. So much.
Posted by: Becky at June 8, 2007 12:53 PM
I've known Nattie online for probably 5 years or so. She was part of our Christian Journaling group (before WAH, book challenges and the like!). I was shocked to hear the news. Saddened for those left behind who knew her beautiful spirit. Saddened for her children and her family. But heaven is richer for our loss. Nattie Rose, we love you!
Susan
Posted by: Susan at June 8, 2007 01:48 PM
My heart is broken this morning as I sit here, reading this, tears streaming. I will miss you, Nattie-girl. Many prayers going up for all of you in grieving the loss of your beautiful girl/mom.
Posted by: Ellen at June 9, 2007 11:59 AM
We will dearly miss you Natalie. You were a true friend and we will never forget you. Our Sunday School class will not be the same without you. We know by your faith, you are standing before our Lord rejoicing. He has healed you, amen for that. Our prayers and thoughts are with your parents and children. May God be with all of them.
Until we meet again, The Harting's
Posted by: Jude and Terri at June 10, 2007 06:20 PM
Bless you all! You will stay in the thoughts and prayers of so many of us out here.
Posted by: Debi at June 11, 2007 08:53 AM
"Til we meet... til we meet... til we meet at Jesus' feet... God be with you til we meet again."
Posted by: Ellen at June 14, 2007 10:38 PM
I only knew Nattie briefly when I would read her inspiring blog on Xanga, but I knew she was a gentle spirit with a great love for her family and friends. This world lost a beautiful woman, but heaven gained an angel. My condolences to her family and friends.
Posted by: Nancy at June 16, 2007 07:23 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)
December 01, 2009
The Touch of a Hand
(Originally published on Tuesday, June 05, 2007)
(Dictated June 4, 2007, to Daddy)
Through this illness I have realized the importance of the gentle touch, whether it is rubbing hair away from forehead, or even the prick of a needle.
Yesterday I realized even more the value of the touch of a familiar hand.
My blood pressure dropped to zero. All I could see around me was white, and all I could smell were clinical smells. If not for the touch of my mother's hand, tethering me to reality, I don't know if I would be alive today.
As I gripped her hand fiercely, I also recognized how much her hands felt like her mom's. I'm sure I squeezed life from those little hands, but they were so precious to me—that link between Mother, Daughter and Granddaughter.
Those hands returned my squeeze, while their lips softly sang old Gaither tunes.
Never underestimate the power of a gentle touch.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
CommentsYou and your family are never out of my prayers.
AmyPosted by: amy at June 5, 2007 12:15 PM
((((hugs))))
I love you, mi amiga.
You are constantly on my mind and in my heart and prayers.
Isaiah 41:13
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.Posted by: Angie at June 5, 2007 01:49 PM
There is my Natalie, writing even at the worst of times. If you need me, Nat, I am on a plane as soon as you say the word, got it?
Posted by: Heather at June 5, 2007 01:53 PM
Nattie...it amazes me how a woman can "touch" me so deeply when we've never met face to face. We love you and are praying WITHOUT ceasing for you and for your family. Get better!!
Posted by: StephanieG at June 5, 2007 05:31 PM
I am glad to hear that you are alright. This was a beautiful post!
Posted by: Kelly at June 5, 2007 06:59 PM
Nattie - this was a beautiful post and I thank you for sharing it at a time you are so sick and probably just want to rest. My prayers continue for you -
Posted by: Wendy at June 5, 2007 07:55 PM
...YOU continue to *touch* deeply, the souls that surround you in love and prayer right now...and what has just been written with the tender love of a daddy's hand for his darling daughter, brought deep sobs from my heart...I may not have been exactly where you are right now, but I do know the tender firm grip of a loving mothers hand, that wont let me go...just like our Heavenly Daddy, will NEVER let us go, is ever faithful and always present...YOU are held firmly in the grip of the ever loving living God of the universe...and our hands are joined, standing in the gap for you.
I praise God that you have such loving parents who are so tenderly surrounding you, exampling who He is in human form.
Posted by: Cynthia at June 5, 2007 08:53 PM
Praying for you and your family Nattie!
Posted by: Amy at June 5, 2007 09:17 PM
Thank you dear heart for taking the time to dictate this and thanks to your daddy for relaying this to us ~ Her friends and prayer warriors. We love you girl!!
Posted by: Maria at June 5, 2007 09:36 PM
Even though we have never met in person you are on my mind and heart often. I have said many prayers for you and I will continue to do so. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts with us.
-Lesley
another W@H girlPosted by: Lesley at June 5, 2007 09:39 PM
praying for you friend. praying and praying, and praying more.
blessings, mari
Posted by: mari at June 6, 2007 01:08 AM
Natalie....You and I have had some great talks while we were suppose to be watching those little babes in the nursery. I have been praying for you...I miss seeing you in church and you better get back here soon.
Love,
Dee Hurst
Posted by: Dee Hurst at June 6, 2007 09:04 AM
PS....WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BLOG SITE? It's awesome and you have such a great talent!! Keep it up girl.
Posted by: Dee Hurst at June 6, 2007 09:06 AM
My dear cousin...I cannot tell you how sorry I am that this has occurred. I have prayed for you and your children daily and you are on the church prayer list. I just learned of your blog through John and have read it through from January of this year to now. What a blessing to see your father's posts.
Posted by: cousin mark at June 6, 2007 12:24 PM
Natalie, We've met at the Christian Life Sunday School class that your Mom belongs to at the Crystal Cathedral. What you and your family are experiencing has touched all of our lives. We pray for your recovery, we thank God for his many blessings, for the love that your Mom overflows with, for the doctors wisdom, and the list goes on & on. We will continue to hold you in our hearts and pray until there is no end for your recovery. May God bless you now and always. Gail Benson
Posted by: Gail Benson at June 6, 2007 12:38 PM
Natalie, I just came upon your blog by another blog I read. My dh (who is a pastor) and I live in Indianapolis. Please contact me if there is anything we can do for you and your family.
Posted by: Betsy at June 6, 2007 03:54 PM
Our entire family is thinking of you and praying for you, Nattie. You are an inspiration to all of us.
Love,
BluePosted by: Blue at June 7, 2007 01:23 PM
May our prayers accompany you to the Father's house.
May the memories of you comfort your family and friends.These are the wishes of those of us who knew you through your parents.
in HIS love always
Earl and RitaPosted by: Earl and Rita at June 7, 2007 04:13 PM
My thoughts are with your family.
Posted by: Little Willow at June 14, 2007 09:53 AM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:33 AM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2009
Weekend Update
(Originally published on Sunday, June 03, 2007)
Natalie was transferred to ICU with an elevated heart rate early this (Sunday) morning. As she had a blood clot in her lung a couple of years ago, that was a concern. Accordingly, CT scans were ordered. Her mom also asked that they do abdominal X-rays in hopes of detremining the source of the back pain that has plagued her for almost a week.
Sorry this is rushed, but that is all that I know this morning.
Marie, and others: I cannot tell you here and now whether Nat would appreciate visitors, though my guess is probably not for at least a couple of days. The best thing I can tell you is, if you know where she is, call her room and talk to her mom. If she has stepped out of the room, please try again later. At thte very least, she will relay your message.
Thank you, everyone! Don't stop praying now!—Nattie's Daddy
CommentsStill praying for a miracle. Asking God to wrap His loving arms around Nattie and family. ((hugs))
Posted by: Aleta at June 3, 2007 06:59 PM
I'm speechless.....I'm praying.
Posted by: vickig97 at June 3, 2007 10:14 PM
Still praying for a miracle!! God's gonna do one yet! We love you Nattie girl!!
Posted by: Maria at June 3, 2007 10:35 PM
I am praying here!
{{{{{{{Nattie & family}}}}}}}Posted by: Jane at June 3, 2007 11:55 PM
Dearest Nattie Girl, Natties Daddy and Mommy,
Praying deeply for healing. I love her courage and trust in the Lord. Beauty for ashes...joy comes in the morning...mourning for the oil of gladness...for in Him, we live and move and have our being. Sending hugs and love...
Posted by: Cynthia at June 4, 2007 01:20 AM
(((((Also praying here.)))))
Posted by: Kim W at June 4, 2007 02:30 AM
Nattie continues to be in my prayers - for healing, for God to release her from this pain, for her children to see her well and healthy. We miss her at my book group (ANovelChallenge@yahoogroups.com)
Posted by: Wendy at June 4, 2007 08:54 AM
Wah Prayer chain has been set up I've been walking and praying did that for today. I can't tell you how much I appreciate these updates because I can't access the WAH boards since this weekend. It's good to get this news. Will continue to be in prayer about these things too. (((Hugs for the whole family!)))
Posted by: Nancy S. at June 4, 2007 09:17 AM
hang in there nattie and family i love u girly
Posted by: Heather/DB at June 4, 2007 01:15 PM
Nattie's Daddy, thank-you SO MUCH for keeping us updated. I've been praying for our Nattie and the whole family - just to echo those who have already commented: believing for a miracle.
I'm used to hearing from Nattie everyday, so - having these updates from you helps keep us connected in a way. Thank-you again - words just cannot adequately express........
((((((((hugs)))))))))
Posted by: Sara at June 4, 2007 01:56 PM
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!
((((Nattie and Nattie's Family))))Posted by: kim at June 4, 2007 04:17 PM
Natalie,
YOUR STRENGTH through adversity is just endless and amazing. I know that you give it to God daily and always have. I wish I could do so much for you, I wish I could take the pain away from you, I just wish I could be doing more than just prayer.
God is who will do what is to be done. Through him all things are possible. You are STRONG in heart and spirit. We love you!
Jen, Sam, Logan and Ella.Posted by: Jen at June 4, 2007 04:26 PM
everytime i think of nattie, every morning seeing her name in my prayer book, 'great is thy faithfulness' comes singing from my heart.
god is holding you. covering you.
praying.
blessings, mari
Posted by: mari at June 6, 2007 01:12 AM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
November 27, 2009
Beauty for Ashes
(Originally published on Friday, June 01, 2007)
(Note: Although Nattie is still in the hospital in Indianapolis, she dictated the following this afternoon for her daddy to share with you.)
"While my mom was reading to me from my Bible, she came across a highlighted passage—Isaiah 61:3. There, God talks about trading pleasure for our pain, and to this truth I’ll hold.
"I have people praying for me from coast to coast and around the world. I want to thank you for being some of those people.
"No matter what happens, it's going to be OK. This is just a twinkling of the eye, a mere moment of pain...In a little while we will all see our mourning traded for 'oil of gladness.'"
Copyright Natalie Rose York
CommentsBless you dear Nattie!! We love you!!!!!
Posted by: Maria at June 1, 2007 11:35 PM
That is my life verse. I love you NATTIE!
Posted by: Heather at June 2, 2007 08:26 AM
all my love goes to you my dear!
Posted by: Stacey at June 2, 2007 09:01 AM
GOD is very pleased with you, nattie..praying and loving you much!
Posted by: susan mc at June 2, 2007 09:11 AM
Dear Nattie's Daddy,
Thank you so much for your reports. Your daughter is one of my favorite people. I am praying for her and your whole family!
She is a fighter, and there are a lot of us going to battle with her.Posted by: Ashley at June 2, 2007 01:01 PM
lurve that verse GOOOOOOOOO Nattie
Posted by: Heather/DB at June 2, 2007 04:12 PM
you're in my thoughts and prayers!
Posted by: alisonwonderland at June 2, 2007 04:37 PM
Is Nattie up for visitors??
Posted by: Marie at June 2, 2007 06:32 PM
Know we're thinking of you...
Posted by: sprite at June 2, 2007 07:10 PM
Praying for you daily on my prayer walks!
Posted by: Nancy at June 2, 2007 08:18 PM
Natalie,
You and your family are in my prayers. The verse "through God all things are possible" keeps running through my head.
In Christ,
Kris RobertsPosted by: Kris Roberts at June 2, 2007 09:23 PM
Thinking and praying for you.
Amy HenryPosted by: amy at June 3, 2007 06:53 AM
Natalie,
A friend of yours told me what you are going through and asked me to pray for you. You will be in my prayers and thoughts. God's grace and peace and love and joy be with you, sister.
love, lisa
Posted by: lisa samson at June 3, 2007 09:25 AM
Nattie, you're awesome.
Thinking of you all and continuing to send positive thoughts. x
Posted by: Quixotic at June 3, 2007 04:06 PM
(((((Sweet Nattie)))))) I love you so much, and am praying that verse over you!! There's a care package on its way from good ole North Cackalacky.... unfortunately, I wouldn't fit in the box.
LOVE YOU!
Posted by: Sara at June 4, 2007 01:59 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 25, 2009
Moving right along
(Originally published on Wednesday, May 30, 2007)
Got some time with Natalie this evening. She is to be moved from the surgery floor to the oncology wing, probably tonight, and chemotherapy could start as early as tomorrow. It is good to hear from doctors with positive plans.
She is still very weak and uncomfortable. Of course,that is to be expected just three days after major surgery, but we who are demanding miracles would like to see one soon!
Nattie wants to see her children, and they need to see her...well and strong again!
Still, she has not lost her resolve to fight with whatever strength she—with God's help and yours—can muster.
We also need to thank everyone who has been such a help to all of us lately. Some of those I can remember are cousins Allen, Jill and Joy; aunts Anne and Marty; Wes and his family, Karla and Elaine; Pastor Mark and Tammy Deimer and their entire praying congregation, and especially her mom who flew out from California the day after she got the news, and is staying as long as she is needed, even though her vacation days are long gone.
And all of you who continue to stop in here and leave your words of encouragement, and pray for Natalie's strength and miraculous healing. Don't stop now!
Thank you so very much!—Nattie and her Daddy
CommentsThank you Natties Daddy for keeping us posted. I am keeping hundreds of prayer warriors updated on my end. Standing, believing, hoping and praying with you...
Posted by: Cynthia at May 31, 2007 01:21 AM
Nattie is also being prayed for over here - the other side of the world... but keeping you all in my prayers, as you'll need to stay strong for her and those gorgeous children.
God Bless
Posted by: Elizabeth from New Zealand at May 31, 2007 02:51 AM
Thanks for the updates, Daddy-O :-) We at the Women @ Home board are praying "without ceasing" and lifting all of you up in prayer.
Posted by: Pattie at May 31, 2007 09:29 AM
Nattie,
Praying for your strength (both physical and strength of faith) and protection as you begin chemo. I'm also praying for your mother and daddy and your children through this.Posted by: Dee at May 31, 2007 09:42 AM
I just checked in here, and have read the last few posts. I'm sorry to read that the cancer is inoperable, but Nattie's strength is inspiring.
Thinking of you all, and sending positive thoughts for continued strength and healing (for all of you).
Kick that cancer's ass, Nattie.
Posted by: Quixotic at May 31, 2007 10:13 AM
Praying praying praying.
Posted by: Heather at May 31, 2007 10:18 AM
Please tell Natalie that I love, love, love, love, LOVE her and am praying without ceasing. I heard about the blog (it's a small town)and will check everyday. I heard a rumor that she will be coming home on Thursday, is this correct?
Posted by: Marie Morgan at May 31, 2007 11:00 AM
On Monday, the day after her surgery, we were told that Natalie would be released "in three or four days," and could do her chemo nearer to home. On Wednesday, however, her oncologist decided that she should be moved from the surgery wing to the oncology ward in the same hospital. That's all I know at this time.
Thank you all for your concern and your continued prayers.
Posted by: Nattie's Daddy at May 31, 2007 11:26 AM
got your back nattie pie
Posted by: Heather/DB at May 31, 2007 12:18 PM
THANK YOU, NATTIE's DAD, FOR KEEPING US POSTED ON HER RECOVERY!..WE, AT WAH, ARE ALL STILL HERE, AND WE ARE STILL PRAYING!!
Posted by: susan mc at May 31, 2007 12:33 PM
Marc and I are sending up prayers from NY! Stay strong . . . God is in control! Love ya lots!
Posted by: Laura Falco at May 31, 2007 12:42 PM
HEY GIRL!!! BE STRONG!!! Even though your body is weak, God is Strong and we (your prayer warriors) are strong. We will pick up where you are weak. We love you girl. If there is anything you need, anything, just let me know. Hey do you want me to get some pics from your home and help you work on some scrapbooks? I am willing and able to get your books going for you. Just say the word and it will happen. LOVE YOU.
May God bless you and your family and keep you strong!!!
Jen, Sam, Logan and EllaPosted by: Lewis Family at May 31, 2007 01:44 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)
November 23, 2009
Mea Culpa!
(Originally published on Monday, May 28, 2007)
Yesterday, Natalie was under the influence of drugs, and could not be reached for comment, leaving her helpless Daddy no choice but to listen to her doctors and update you accordingly...silly me!
When they returned this morning and repeated their verdict for the patient, she chased everyone out of the room for a few minutes. Then she laid down the law.
"There will be no crying in my room. I want no one's pity. I am not going to die. I will fight this thing until I beat it."
Just returned from a nice long visit. She is very tired and weak. Regardless of the outcome, she did have major surgery with appropriate painkillers. But she is already promising to shave her head rather than let the hair fall out in clumps, and find some scarves that Jonathan and Anna can't use to pick up dead animals.
This is where the real praying work begins! Thank you!—Nattie's Daddy
CommentsShe's a strong lady. No doubt about it. Prayers for all.
Posted by: Jamie at May 28, 2007 11:50 PM
Nattie is in my prayers - that's all I can offer - but prayers can change the world :)
Posted by: Sally906 at May 29, 2007 06:52 AM
How I appreciate your updates! Thank you so very, very much!!!
I wish I had great words of wisdom to share, but my thoughts are limited this morning. But please know that fervent prayers for Nattie AND her family are being said.
Posted by: vickig97 at May 29, 2007 07:33 AM
Nattie...You are Amazing! Keep it up, girl!
Posted by: Debi at May 29, 2007 08:03 AM
Just know Nattie and her family is in my prayers love you Nattie you go girl
Posted by: Heather/DB at May 29, 2007 12:08 PM
Appreciate the updates.
Prayer and attitude are everything!
I will continue to keep Nattie and her family in my prayers and thoughts.Posted by: Diane at May 29, 2007 02:46 PM
That sounds like the Nattie-Pie I know.
Posted by: Heather at May 29, 2007 04:16 PM
Thank you for the updates...KNOW, KNOW, KNOW that Nattie as well as her family & children are being loved and prayed for...and know this...
"When you doubt, I will believe. When your faith is weak, mine will be strong. When prayer is difficult, I will be on my knees. I will stand in the gap for you. I will have faith till yours is stronger, I will have faith till your doubt is gone, I will pray till you are able, just lean. I will wait with you in patience for answers that we know will come...so just lean..."
...sending hugs, love & prayers...
Posted by: Cynthia at May 29, 2007 10:27 PM
did I mention I was praying
cause I am
you can borrow mine, Nattie! :DPosted by: Cheri at May 30, 2007 12:44 AM
I found this blog just before all this started happening, and I just want to say that I'll be checking back all the time. I know Nattie doesn't know me but she and her kids and family are in my prayers from now on.
Posted by: Camille at May 30, 2007 01:59 PM
Nattie,
I will stand in agreement with you that this thing is beat. I believe with all my faith that God has already healed us, my liver is whole, my diagnosis was bleak, so many had given up.....but God is God and I'll walk this thing out with you until your body shows God's amazing miracle in the flesh....your spiritual body is already whole, lets get this one matching it girlie!
Each morning I will start my day praising God for your complete restoration, the specific death of all cancer cells in your body and your restoration of strength.
Love you girlie!
ShannaPosted by: Shanna Berry at May 30, 2007 02:00 PM
I'm sending prayers your way Nattie and family. I'm in awe at your ability to remain positive throughout this. You're such a strong and amazing person. Keep fighting!
Posted by: Chris at May 30, 2007 02:17 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 22, 2009
Just the facts...
(Originally published later on Sunday, May 27, 2007)
The surgeons report that Natalie's cancer is inoperable. She will be offered chemo as a means of extending her life. No cure is promised.
Please, God...that's all I've got!—Nattie's Daddy
CommentsThank you for the update.
Continuing to pray
Posted by: Teri at May 27, 2007 04:49 PM
Sending prayers your way.
God bless.Posted by: Mimi Lenox at May 27, 2007 05:27 PM
Prayers for Nattie & family.
We are 50 minutes away from the hospital. Let us know if we can bring you anything or do ANYTHING for you.
Jane & familyPosted by: Jane at May 27, 2007 05:41 PM
Continuing to pray, and pray, and pray
Posted by: Cheri at May 27, 2007 05:50 PM
Praying like never before.
Posted by: Cheryl at May 27, 2007 06:00 PM
Praying for Nattie & family.
Jane and familyPosted by: Jane at May 27, 2007 06:10 PM
Hugs and prayers for Natilie and her family.
Posted by: Julie in NJ at May 27, 2007 07:17 PM
Praying for you and your family. And for the doctors and others serving her...let their hands be guided and their sight sharpened.
Posted by: Jamie at May 27, 2007 07:48 PM
Dearest Natalie... you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have seen miracles and I am praying desperately... ((hugs)) and love. Aleta
Posted by: Aleta at May 27, 2007 09:01 PM
Praying for you and your family.
Posted by: Dana at May 27, 2007 09:07 PM
Nattie,
You don't know me but I'm praying for you down here in SC. God loves you!!! 'Be still, and know that I am God...' Psalm 46:10
Love, DeePosted by: Dee at May 27, 2007 09:18 PM
Nattie and family will continuously be in my prayers
Posted by: Lori L at May 27, 2007 09:33 PM
Nattie & Family, You are being held in prayers!
Posted by: Tina at May 27, 2007 10:04 PM
Thank you for the update. My family is praying for your family. Nattie is so special to us!
Posted by: Ashley at May 27, 2007 10:05 PM
We'll be praying.
Posted by: Jill at May 27, 2007 10:44 PM
GOD is still GOD, and i am still PRAYING..ANGELS all around you, NATTIE, your kids, and family..
Posted by: susan mc at May 27, 2007 11:03 PM
praying
Posted by: Stacey at May 27, 2007 11:22 PM
A friend posted your prayer request to our homeschool board.... An IRL friend is surviving cancer (amazing her docs) with a protacol she put together partly based on info from www.cancertutor.org They are not selling "the latest and greatest" , it is just a compilation of info from many sources - perhaps you can find additional help there. My friend had breast cancer that had metasticized into her bones - she did the chemo, and a diet/supplement program. 1 yr later - no sign of cancer. Praying for you. Blessings, Tracey
Posted by: Tracey at May 28, 2007 12:11 AM
Sending prayers your way.
Posted by: 3M at May 28, 2007 12:42 AM
Nattie, I am praying for you, your family, and your doctors.
Posted by: Allison at May 28, 2007 08:50 AM
My family is praying for you Nattie!!!
Posted by: Windy at May 28, 2007 09:21 AM
My heart breaks for you, Nattie's Daddy. Know that we who love Nattie are praying around the clock.
Posted by: Dawn at May 28, 2007 09:51 AM
Praying for all of you!
Posted by: Leann at May 28, 2007 12:41 PM
Nattie and family - you're all still very much in my thoughts and prayers. Praying for miracles in your midst and much peace.
Posted by: Janet at May 28, 2007 01:16 PM
Nattie,
I am a fellow mother and w@h. You are in my prayers. Here is a verse I cling to...verse 31 is by memory.
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the Everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40: 28-31
Posted by: Nancy at May 28, 2007 08:10 PM
I am lifting you and your family in my prayers, knowing and trusing our God HAS healed and WILL sustain you through the journey before you. God Bless you with His peace, endurance & joy.
Posted by: Heather at June 1, 2007 03:28 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:36 AM | Comments (0)
Waiting...
(Originally published on Sunday, May 27, 2007)
Nat went to the operating room at 8:00 o'clock this morning. The doctors met with her yesterday. They explained all of the risks to such major surgery.
The good news/bad news for today: If they are able to successfully remove all of the cancer, the surgeons anticipate that she can recover fully, without further treatment, chemo or radiation. On the other hand, it will cost her at least part, if not all of her stomach.
I promised myself that I would not make Nattie?s blog mine, so I shall cease my commentary and conjecture there.
We continue to pray that the physicians will be given extraordinary wisdom, skill and strength as they operate.
I thank you, Natalie thanks you, we all thank you!—Nattie's Daddy
CommentsNattie, you are in my prayers daily, sweetie.
Posted by: Allison at May 27, 2007 01:53 PM
Praying for your Nattie...sending hugs, love and tons of prayers...I have sent out prayer requests to everyone I know...as my mother says "the heaven are being stormed" for her.
Posted by: Cynthia at May 27, 2007 02:50 PM
We are praying here!
{{{{{{{{Nattie & family}}}}}}}Posted by: Jane at May 27, 2007 04:02 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)
November 20, 2009
An Update from Nattie's Daddy
(Originally published on May 25, 2007)
Just thought you'd want to know that Natalie spent Thursday night in the local hospital for observation and hydration. Although her blood pressure was elevated at the time of her admission, it had retreated to proper levels by Friday afternoon. She had lost another six pounds in the last couple of days, so she also benefitted from intravenous fluids overnight.
This evening she is being transferred to a hospital in Indianapolis. It is hoped that they are better equipped to obtain the scans that the surgeon wants before beginning his work
Please continue to pray for my little girl's healing, and that you will soon be reading her words, here, again.
Thank you, from Natalie, her family and friends!
CommentsDear Nattie's Daddy,
I don't know if you read nat's comments, but thank you. I wish my daddy were still around to help you deal with what it's like when your baby gets cancer. I know he was angry a lot, but I know also that just knowing he was there, worrying, and loving me, was more than any words can convey.
I hate this for your Nattie--i hate it with a pure, passionate hate that cancer is a thief and a murderer. But i know that love is stronger than anything cancer has.
I love your nattie. I know she loves you very much too, and I know that you love her enough to move the sun and stars for her. Lucky for us, all we have to do is move a bunch of rotten cells.
I'm praying so hard.
Posted by: Dana at May 25, 2007 09:45 PM
Thank you, Dana. The love and prayers that come through this site are appreciated far more than I can write.
Posted by: daddy at May 25, 2007 10:12 PM
Dear Nattie's Daddy and Nattie,
I don't that the first hand experience with cancer that Dana does. So I can't offer that help and support that she can and does. But I do know the love I have for Nat and the prayers that have been said on her behalf. I earnestly believe that she will be healed, TOTALLY and COMPLETELY HEALED, and that all of this is for God's Glory.
Posted by: Maria at May 25, 2007 10:49 PM
Nattie is a special lady . . . I see now she comes by it naturally. Prayers are being said literally all over the world for your little girl.
Posted by: vickig97 at May 26, 2007 09:49 AM
Nat and Nattie's Daddy....I know this has to be rough for you right now. But hold on to the thought that you have SO Many people out here praying for you. And prayers do help. I'm only 36, and I've survived cancer twice! When I was 4, the doctor's gave me about a 10% chance of survival. Now, I'm a mom with a husband, 3 kids, and 2 dogs. The will to live can be stronger than anything.
Please know that I am here praying daily...as is all Nattie's blogging friends. Thank you for the updates.
Posted by: Stephanie at May 26, 2007 10:49 AM
Sending lots of positive thoughts for Nattie and all of you.
Posted by: Quixotic at May 26, 2007 05:40 PM
((((((Nattie and her daddy))))))
We are so proud to have Nattie as our friend and can't wait to see the miracle that God is about to do in her life...All of her 'net friends are praying very hard and lifting ALL of her family up as well! Hang in there...Nattie's a special girl who God is about to do something VERY special in her life...
Posted by: StephanieG at May 26, 2007 06:28 PM
Time moves ever faster. As swiftly as those days passed, it seems virtually impossible that two and a half years have disappeared since. As we now know, Natalie never returned home to add her own wrds to this site, and soon the archives will be exhausted as well. Just sayin'. (((((Y'all)))))
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2009
thankful thursday
(Originally published by Nattie on May 24, 2007)
I know people think I'm crazy. I have cancer, but I have oodles of things to be thankful for.
1. My mom is here doing all my laundry. lol
We joke that I got cancer so I wouldn't have to do housework. It is all part of my evil plan. bwahahahaha
2. I've got great friends and family. Really. I can't describe the outpouring of love and help I've gotten from them.
3. I have cute new fuzzy flip flops to wear around the house.
4. I have new pjs to wear post op.
5. I can move my laptop and sit in my comfy chair so I can be online a little longer.
6. My ipod. Last night I couldn't sleep so I listened to an audio book.
7. Even though I can't handle any "hardy" reading right now...I have oodles of "friends" (i.e. old books) that I can reread.
8. I am allowed to eat as much ice cream as I want. Never mind that I can only eat half a cup. I can eat ice cream whenever I want. The only time I was allowed to do that before was when I had my tonsils out.
9. When people come visit and ask what I want I can say, "Ice cream" and not feel guilty.
10. The most important thing of all is that God is by my side through this all. I don't know how people handle tragedy without their Heavenly Father. I know I couldn't and for this I am very thankful.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
CommentsHooray for guilt-free ice cream!!!
(((((Nattie)))))) You amaze me. I love you.Posted by: Sayruh at May 24, 2007 01:04 PM
You brought tears to my eyes. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Have a scoop ice cream for me, will you?
Posted by: Diane at May 24, 2007 01:40 PM
Nattie, I know you don't know me but I've been reading your blog pretty regularly for the past couple of months. I just want you to know that I am thinking of you often. You are in my prayers daily. I love your attitude. (((HUGS)))
Posted by: Allison at May 24, 2007 02:01 PM
Praying for you.
Posted by: Vasilly at May 24, 2007 06:40 PM
and we are thankful that you are here with us sharing your heart
love ya girl
(((((Nattie))))))))
Posted by: Maria at May 24, 2007 07:10 PM
Sorry to hear that you're sick. Last time I checked in, I know you were concerned, but it sounds now like there's a plan in place for some surgery? I hope it goes well and that you have a quick recovery. It's great that you're focusing on the positives in life!
Posted by: dew at May 24, 2007 07:23 PM
Know that people like me (the quiet and reserved ones) are praying for you, Nattie. I love your spirit, and God will see you through this.
Posted by: Carolyn at May 24, 2007 08:00 PM
You are amazing!
I am so proud of you!
I love you bunches!Posted by: Ashley at May 24, 2007 10:28 PM
Ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I'm envious! XsOs
Posted by: maggie at May 25, 2007 07:24 AM
The bright side of the things is the place I like to hang out :D *smooch*
Posted by: Angela Giles Klocke at May 25, 2007 01:16 PM
I snuck my computer on the family vay-cay just to keep tabs on you, girl. I am glad to find you in a thankful - cheerful mood. Love you!
Posted by: Heather at May 25, 2007 04:47 PM
Nattie
Miss talking about books with you at church, I got a new catalog from christian books.com and I was going I want that one and that one. Thinking of you, praying always.Posted by: Amy at May 31, 2007 12:08 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
November 18, 2009
Wordless Wednesday
(Originally published by Nattie on May 23, 2007)
~Pampered~
Copyright Natalie Rose York
CommentsOh so cute! Love love flip flops...am wearing them now actually!
Posted by: dawnae at May 23, 2007 10:45 AM
great pair of feet you got there!
Posted by: Bridget at May 23, 2007 10:57 AM
This is a great photo. Love the filter effect.
Posted by: Rayne at May 23, 2007 11:40 AM
haha! Great photo!
Posted by: Amy Grant at May 23, 2007 12:34 PM
Well deserved!
Posted by: Diane at May 23, 2007 01:47 PM
You deserve it!
Posted by: Angela Giles Klocke at May 23, 2007 05:22 PM
Are those feet supposed to look greenish or is my moniter off?
Happy WW - mines up at http://anyapples.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Frigga at May 23, 2007 06:02 PM
that is my cell phone camera, my regular camera batteries are dead.
Posted by: Nattie at May 23, 2007 06:17 PM
Cuteness! You have pretty tippie, but MINE are the prettiest, according to "The Hubby".
Thanks for sharing!
Happy WW and blessings for a nice week ahead!
Posted by: JennieBoo at May 23, 2007 07:39 PM
hey how is austen coming along?
Posted by: Nessie at May 23, 2007 10:43 PM
I have not read a bit of my austen list. I can't read much right now. It takes too much energy.
Posted by: Nattie at May 24, 2007 11:38 AM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 17, 2009
what i know part deux
(Originally published by Nattie on May 22, 2007)
I saw the oncologist today. He was very kind. It turns out he was my mother in laws oncologist when she had breast cancer eight years ago. I already knew that my kind of cancer is rare or uncommon as he said in a woman this young. He also seconded that the way to treat this is remove it if possible.
So I am to see a surgeon asap for a consult. There is some good news...my blood work is showing that it has not spread to my liver as of yet. More news as soon as I get some.
Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes. I know I wouldn't be so calm right now if it were not for those prayers.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
CommentsNattie-gurl ---- we love you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Maria at May 22, 2007 08:36 PM
Calm would be an understatement. You almost make me forget that I'm supposed to be doing the worrying for both of us! I love my baby girl!
Posted by: Daddy at May 22, 2007 09:07 PM
Praying for a miracle, and so thankful for the peace you feel. I love you!
Posted by: Pattie at May 22, 2007 10:15 PM
Oh, Nattie!
Pattie sent me here to see what's going on. Can't believe it. Thanks for blogging about it so we can read and learn a little bit about the latest.
My head is spinning. I just can't believe it.
With love and concern and the sighs of prayers....
Posted by: Ann Kroeker at May 22, 2007 11:05 PM
Excellent news re: not spreading to the liver. One hurdle down; just a few more to go. ^5
Posted by: vickig97 at May 22, 2007 11:43 PM
Continuing to pray for you!
Posted by: Angela Giles Klocke at May 23, 2007 07:13 AM
(((((Nattie)))))
I'm so happy to hear that it hasn't spread to your liver...I'm still praying!!!
Posted by: StephanieG at May 23, 2007 08:39 AM
It is incredible reading through this process with you. It wasn't so long ago that you were tired and drained and now cancer. You are in my thoughts. I admire your willingness to share your life with your readers. Everything else I think of to say sounds like a lame platitude. So I wish for you strength and healing.
Posted by: Lisa Jean at May 23, 2007 09:23 AM
You sound so strong and so brave! I hope the news from the surgeon is the absolute best it can be! You'll continue to be in the thoughts and prayers of so many!
Posted by: Debi at May 23, 2007 09:53 AM
((Natalie Rose)) Praying and praying and praying
Posted by: Dawn at May 23, 2007 10:03 AM
Not spreading is GREAT news. I bought you a book today. Will ship as soon as I can.
Posted by: Heather at May 23, 2007 04:24 PM
Praying that you will beat this.
Posted by: Nancy at May 24, 2007 09:32 AM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:33 AM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2009
what i know
(Originally published by Nattie on May 21, 2007)
I don't know a whole lot more yet about my cancer. But it is cancer. And it is not lymphoma like previously mentioned. It has a name. And I won't put it up here because you'll google it and get all the horrible statistics.
I've never liked statistics. I've never been a conformist (apparently this cancer is more common in non-american black men over the age of 65). I've always walked to the beat of my own drum. And I will continue to do that now. I know who holds tomorrow. And He holds me in His hand.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
CommentsOh, Nattie-girl, I am so sorry. (Dana shared your news with me on an email list we are on together) I am heart broken for you, but as you said, we know Who holds tomorrow, and He DOES hold our hand every step of the way. I am so praying for you and if I can do ANYTHING for you, please don't hesitate to let me know, ok?
I love you!!!!!!!
{{{{hugs}}}}Posted by: Ellen at May 21, 2007 06:09 PM
I said almost the exact same thing to Dana, this afternoon. I said that usually older men and people of other races and from other countries get this cancer, but our Nattie alwasy had to be different. ;) I love you girlie.
Posted by: Heather at May 21, 2007 06:10 PM
Nattie, we love you and are all praying for you. God is still working miracles today and I believe He can do it for you.
Posted by: Holly at May 21, 2007 06:15 PM
Praying for you Nattie. I love you so much.
Posted by: Misty at May 21, 2007 06:38 PM
Oh my sweet sweet Nattie...
Posted by: Angela Giles Klocke at May 21, 2007 06:46 PM
I love you sweetie pie, and I am praying. The One Who holds tomorrow is holding your hand, and I'm going to be the girl bugging her Daddy for a miracle.
Posted by: Pattie at May 21, 2007 06:46 PM
Much prayers to you.
Posted by: maricar at May 21, 2007 07:13 PM
I just love you so much my sweet! I am lifting you before the throne of the Father today and in the days to come. You know we are all in this with you for the long haul. (((((NATTIE)))))
I left you some song lyrics at my blog... You are filling my heart and thoughts!
Posted by: Leann at May 21, 2007 07:22 PM
You are in my heart and prayers, dear Nattie. Keep your spunk and stay right there in the Father's keeping. No one can keep you better then He can.
I love you,
BluePosted by: Blue at May 21, 2007 08:01 PM
Nattie~I am keeping you in my prayers.
Posted by: DawnM at May 21, 2007 08:41 PM
I love you Nattie Pie!!! -- Your out look is absolutely amazing!!
Praying dear heart Praying........
Posted by: Maria at May 21, 2007 10:04 PM
Nattie! I'm so sorry to hear your news. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Know that I'm right here in the next town if you need anything at all. I'd be happy to come over any time.
Posted by: Angieo at May 21, 2007 10:11 PM
((((Nattie)))) praying hard.
Posted by: stephanie at May 21, 2007 10:44 PM
I'm catching up on blogs (alphabetically) and saw your need for prayer on Leann's blog...not even stopping to comment on hers, I came here. Nat, you have my very earnest prayers.
Posted by: Jamie at May 22, 2007 12:55 AM
I don't know you but read about you on another blog.
Boy, you sure are loved!
I'm praying for you.
Posted by: Linda at May 22, 2007 01:18 AM
You are indestructable until God is finished with you, and I do NOT believe He is finished with you.
Posted by: vickig97 at May 22, 2007 04:26 AM
Sweet-Tart Nattie! I am so sorry about your news, and I am keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Janet at May 22, 2007 08:01 AM
(((((Nattie)))))
I truly believe that God can and WILL deliver you through this fire and we will all have a refined faith through this...it is a battle that we are not going to let you fight alone. We have the King of kings on our side and the greatest Commander of any army. We will all stand on the front lines and fight this battle with you. We love you!!
Posted by: StephanieG at May 22, 2007 09:02 AM
i love you know that k? praying so hard
Posted by: Heather/DB at May 22, 2007 09:33 AM
You will be in my thoughts and prayers, Nattie!
Posted by: Lori L at May 22, 2007 01:56 PM
Nattie - Keeping you lifted up in prayer (((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))
Posted by: nita at May 23, 2007 01:45 AM
Here's what I know - God already did a medical miracle in you once, and I have every reason to believe that He will do it again. Love you so very much.
Posted by: Cheryl at May 23, 2007 12:32 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:06 AM | Comments (1)
November 14, 2009
May reading
(Originally published by Nattie on May 19, 2007)
My list is pitifully small right now, but I haven't felt like reading much lately and what I am reading is rather light fare.
1. Spring Cleaning Murders by Dorothy Cannell
2. For Everything a Season by Philip Gulley
3. The Hanging in the Hotel by Simon Brett
4. Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher (reread)
5. Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery (reread)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:12 AM | Comments (0)
November 13, 2009
the telling
(Originally published by Nattie on May 18, 2007)
There is little that is harder than calling your mom who lives 2,000 some miles away and saying, "The doctor thinks it looks like lymphoma." Even harder is calling your dad who is only 20 miles away and can't drive and say the same thing.
The list of calls you have to make seems a mile long and you have to pray for strength even if you are only leaving a message on an answering machine. The telling is not the easiest thing.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Note: Natalie later admitted that she really hadn't heard, and had to ask Wes' grandmother, what the doctor had said. She wasn't sure, either, but thought it was something that ended with "-oma." Lymphoma, carcinoma, whatever...within three weeks it would make no difference. (((Y'all)))—ND
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2009
so over it
(Originally published by Nattie on May 14, 2007)
I am so over being sick.
I've not eaten real food in eons.
I've lost a good 15 lbs (which I needed but would have preferred to do the "normal" way).
I can't exercise because I have no energy so my muskles (ala popeye) have gotten flabby.
Housework, while always a drudge, is near impossible to do when you have problems standing for two minutes at a time.
I am too tired to read even.
I just watch reality tv reruns.
And that ain't good for ye ol' brain.
I am so over being sick.
Hopefully they figger out what is wrong soon.
I have to chaperone a field trip in a week's time.
I have a vacation to California coming up, too.
Must. get. better.
If only we knew what was wrong?!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)
November 09, 2009
bummer
(Originally published by Nattie on May 10, 2007)
I just blogged a fairly decent blog and lost it. I'll try again later when I have more energy.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2009
Guilty Pleasures
(Originally published by Nattie on May 05, 2007)
There are things I enjoy that I am almost ashamed of. They are things that might not hold with the outward image I like to project. Then I remember that outward image is just that...outward. Who I am is an inward and outward being. There is more to me than the jeans I wear and the things I own.
Yet there are still some things I only do under the cover of darkness, things I don't shout about on the rooftops. I'm going to whisper them to you right now. Full disclosure.
- I love "What Not to Wear." I want to be made over by Clinton and Stacey.
- I read People magazine and not just for the book reviews.
- I dance around my apartment to "Don't Ya" by the Pussycat Dolls, "Sexy Back" by Justin Timberlake and "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas.
- I love fountain Pepsis from Rickers' and the occasional non Starbucks capp—straight from the convenience store.
- I love TGIFriday's Chicken Quesadilla Rolls dipped in sour cream. And I double dip.
- I like to go to movies by myself and not just "grown up" movies. I go under the guise of screening for my kids, but I saw "Meet the Robinsons" by myself and I had a good time.
- I would also have gone to the opening of "Spidey 3" at midnight if I had a car. Yes, I am that geeky.
- I will eat in restaraunts by myself; as long as I have a book, I am happy.
- As much as I enjoy dancing to "Baby Got Back," I also enjoy silence. Silence is golden.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:56 AM | Comments (1)
November 06, 2009
For Everything a Season
(Originally published by Nattie on May 05, 2007)
I. love. Philip. Gulley. When I can manage to read this past week, I've been enjoying his book For Everything a Season—Simple Musings on Living Well. It is a collection of vignettes based on the verses in Ecclesiastes—"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
I love his droll sense of humor. Gloria Gaither calls him "part Mark Twain, part Garrison Keillor." I agree. Those are two other authors I love with a passion that is holy.
Just to give you a taste of his writing if you've never read him, here is a quote from the chapter "A Time to Hate."
...ever since then I've been trying to find a way to hate certain people and walk close to Jesus, but without success. If you've found a way to do that, let me know. There are several people I would love to hate if I thought I could get away with it.
His non-fiction essays are simply lovely and his Harmony series is a hoot. Anyone who has been a pastor or a pastor's wife should enjoy his witty insight on being a pastor.
I've not read his other non-fiction works (If Grace Is True and If God Is Love) because I don't hold with all his theology. That doesn't mean that his other works aren't fantastic! He lives here in Indiana. I'd love to meet him and pick his brain sometime.
Mr. Gulley, can I sit on your stone porch some time and talk about black maple trees?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:58 PM | Comments (1)
October 27, 2009
under the weather
(Originally published by Nattie on May 04, 2007)
I've been feeling under the weather for...well, forever. It started innocuously enough. I felt really full and would have intense indigestion after eating just a little more than I normally did. Then I started throwing up if I ate more than usual. Even if it was just a bite. Then diarrhea. Then more throwing up. Till all I seemed to do was live in the bathroom or hug a bucket.
I finally went to the doctor. Want to know what finally prompted me to do it? I felt too puny to read!! I knew something serious was wrong then.
The doc still doesn't really know what is wrong. He listed a veritable laundry list of possibilities. I've been poked. Next week I'll be prodded. In the meantime I've lost at least 10 more lbs from it and my jeans keep falling down.
I could still stand to lose 20 more lbs according to the doctor's scales, but I want to be able to choose what I do and do not eat. Right now I don't have a choice. All food is off limits to me.
So, here's to not feeling puny any more and actually being able to read without kneeling before the porcelain god.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (2)
October 26, 2009
Are you a kindred spirit?
(Originally published by Nattie on May 02, 2007)
You are most like Anne Shirley. You love to day dream, read romance novels, and TALK! Yet, you are starving for love and attention, that is, till you come to Green Gables and meet Matthew, Marilla, and Mrs. Lynde.
Take this quiz!
Quizilla |
| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:18 AM | Comments (0)
October 23, 2009
Must Read
(Originally published by Nattie on April 30, 2007)
I don't get to read many blogs at this stage in my life although I'm hoping that will change soon. But here is one you must read by my pal, Tiff.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2009
How do I read so much?
(Originally published by Nattie on April 26, 2007)
Someone commented on my "April Reads" post and asked how I could read so much. Well, the reasons are threefold (anyone who watches "Friends" should find that amusing)...
- I have no life. Well, I do, but right now I don't have a car so I spend less time doing superfluous things in le car. I am much more organized in my errand running since I have to walk there.
- I always have a book with me. Seriously it is a disease. I cannotnot read. I will read cereal boxes if I don't have a book with me so it is just easier to always have a book.
- I suffer from insomnia. I'm a night owl anyway so once my kids are in bed I frolic in the land of book mania. I can get more read in two hours after dark than the same two hours when the kids are running around.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 21, 2009
April 2007 reads
(Originally published by Nattie on April 24, 2007)
- Evanly Bodies by Rhys Bowen
- Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson
- We Shall Not Sleep by Anne Perry—read review here
- Glitter of Diamonds by N.J. Lindquist—read review here
- Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
- Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
- Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke
- Miss Julia Strikes Back by Ann B. Ross
- The Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini
- A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton
- Chamomile Mourning by Laura Childs
- Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke
- Light On Snow by Anita Shreve
- Of Ice and Steel by D. Clayton Meadows—read review here
- The Stormy Petrol by Mary Stewart
- Blood Orange Brewing by Laura Childs
- Still Life by Louise Penny
- A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle
- The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo
- Tumbling Blocks by Earlene Fowler
- Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas
- The Spring Cleaning Murders by Dorothy Cannell
- The Five Love Languages of Children by Smalley and Trent
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 20, 2009
Of Ice and Steel
(Originally published by Nattie on April 24, 2007)
my review is up on armchairinterviews.com. Check it out—here.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Thank you for the great review. I am glad you enjoyed my novel and be looking for the next Epitaph!Yours,
D.Clayton Meadows
Author
Of Ice and SteelPosted by: D. Clayton Meadows at May 10, 2007 11:24 PM
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:39 AM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2009
Tuesday's Happies
(Originally published by Nattie on April 24, 2007)
- Checking my email at the library.
- Listening to my ipod while checking my email at the library.
- Looking out the window and seeing the beautiful spring sunshine and knowing that I'll be walking home in it in about an hour.
- Not getting a phone call from my son's school...yet.
- Stacks of books waiting for me at home.
- Too many dishes in the sink (no, I don't like dishes, but the dishes attest to the fact that despite my limited income my children are well fed).
- Hope...sometimes it is blinding like the spring sunshine. Sometimes it is a gentle warmth that comes with kind words. Sometimes it washes over you like waves in the ocean and sometimes it just envelopes you slowly. Sometimes it is like water in a dry land, but it is there if you look for it.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
October 16, 2009
Forgot to post this challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 23, 2007)
The Spring Reading Thing. List forthcoming.
I just pulled a bunch of books from my stacks that I've been meaning to read, but got called away from by other...books. Can you tell what my favorite genre is?
- Between Friends by Debbie Macomber
- Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
- Nursery Crimes by Ayelet Waldman
- North of Tomorrow by Cindy Martinusen
- Death on the Family Tree by Patricia Sprinkle
- Mrs Jeffries On the Ball by Emily Brightwell
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 15, 2009
'Nother day...'nother challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 23, 2007)
I joined another challenge, but I'm having a hard time coming up with my list. I'm trying. It is just so hard to choose. I will post it as soon as I narrow it down.
Here it is. I spent some time researching what my library had and what amazon reviewers said—
- Digging to America by Anne Tyler
- The Keep by Jennifer Egan
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy
- Arthur and George by Julian Barnes
- Brookland by Emily Barton
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:25 AM | Comments (0)
October 14, 2009
a day in the life
(Originally published by Nattie on April 23, 2007)
There are times when I think I need to blog/write more about a day in the life of a family with a child that has Asperger's. But...often I am so caught up in the emotion and the turmoil that I just need to escape it for a bit. Thus I blog about inconsequential things or books.
Oprah had a special about autism on a few weeks ago. One of the parents made a statement that I'd like to put out here as an example of a day in the life—A bad day is a bad day and a good day is a bad day waiting to happen.
That sounds so...pessimistic. But I understand. I am at the point where I'm afraid to be hopeful anymore. Because while hope in God is good. Hope in this ever-changing beast—this disorder—is not possible. It is hard to find hope in every day life. It can be done, but when you are emotionally and physically drained, sometimes it seems beyond your ken.
I'll blog more about the good side of Asperger's, but I needed to say this today.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)
October 13, 2009
Classics Challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 18, 2007)
- Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
- Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
- Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2009
Something About Me Challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 18, 2007)
- A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel
- Sixpence House: Lost in a Town of Books by Paul Collins
- The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler
- Operating Instructions: A Journal of my Son's First Year by Anne Lamott
- Fool's Puzzle by Earlene Fowler
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 10, 2009
Dystopia Challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 18, 2007)
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy
- That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis
- The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:07 AM | Comments (0)
October 09, 2009
Once Upon A Time Challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 18, 2007)
- The Once & Future King by T.H. White
- The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
- Wicked by Gregory McGuire
- Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
- Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 08, 2009
Southern Reading Challenge 2007
(Originally published by Nattie on April 18, 2007)
Southern Reading Challenge 2007
- Charms for the Easy Life by Kaye Gibbons
- Boy's Life by Robert McCammon
- Awakening by Kate Chopin
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)
October 07, 2009
Non-Fiction Five Challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 18, 2007)
- Sacred Romance by Curtis and Eldredge
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Eliott
- Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
- A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:01 AM | Comments (0)
October 05, 2009
15 decades challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 18, 2007)
Read about the challenge here
- The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo (Newberry) 2000s
- The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields (Pulitzer) 1990s
- Dinner at Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler 198's
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor (Newberry)1970s
- The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare (Newberry) 1960s
- Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh 1950s
- Cross Creek by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings 1940s
- Invincible Louisa by Cornelia Meigs (Newberry) 1930s
- The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (Pulitzer) 1920s
- My Antonia by Willa Cather 1910s
- A Room With a View by E.M. Forster 1900s
- Tess of the D'urbervilles by Thomas Hardy 1890s
- Ben Hur by Lew Wallace 1880s
- Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne 1870s
- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo 1860s
Bonus:
- Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe 1850s
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 1840s
- Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens 1830s
- Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott 1820s
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 1810s
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 03, 2009
TBR challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 18, 2007)
I swear I posted this somewhere before other than my I hate Dana post, but I can't find it.
- 1. Sacred Romance by Curtis & Eldredge
- Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- Second Touch by Brock & Brodie Thoene
- Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson (completed)
- Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Eliott (completed)
- Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery
- Diary of Anne Frank
- A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Eliott
- Saddlemaker's Wife by Earlene Fowler
- Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 01:43 PM | Comments (0)
October 02, 2009
Newberry challenge
(Originally published by Nattie on April 17, 2007)
Because so many challenges already exist, I thought I'd start one of my own. While I like all the challenges, I wanted to craft one to meet my needs and others could join in if they want. When I was looking at the Pulitzer list and Newberry list recently I realized that I've read more Newberry books. And I like it that way. I am a mother. I like to have my finger on the pulse of what the kids are reading and I love young adult fiction. It reminds me of curling up in my dad's la-z-boy and reading the afternoon away. It makes me wonder if I could write children's books, too.
So here is the challenge...
- Pick six books from the Newberry list.
- Comment here that you are in the challenge and list to your blog.
- Post your picks on your blog.
- You have from May 15, 2007 to Dec 31, 2007 to read and review the six books you choose.
If you look at my 15decades list you'll note I have a few Newberry winners on there but I think I'll pick some others for this challenge.
Updated 4/18/07
My picks:
- The Giver by Lois Lowry (1994)
- Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (1986)
- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (1972)
- The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli (1950)
- Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink (1936)
- Gay Neck, the Story of a Pigeon (1928)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:48 AM | Comments (0)
October 01, 2009
In our thoughts and prayers
(Originally published by Nattie on April 17, 2007)
All the students, faculty and family of Virginia Tech.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 30, 2009
parenting sucks
(Originally published by Nattie on April 10, 2007)
I am so not a good parent. I often wonder, "why did God give me these kids?" They deserve so much more.
Then I watched "Gideon Tuba Warrior," which has a part where Gideon says that God chose him for such a time as this. And I think about Esther. Or Moses. Or all the sundry people that God chose to do great things. They weren't all that fantastic. Moses stuttered. Esther was a Jew in a time when Jews were hunted and killed. God still chose them. They could do great things with God's help.
That is when I realized that I've been trying to parent under my own power and that isn't that fantastic right now. So Phil 4:13 for pete's sake.
I definitely need it. Jonathan was suspended. Again.
Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. ~ Phillipians 4:13, the MessageCopyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:35 AM | Comments (2)
September 29, 2009
Latest book reviews
(Originally published by Nattie on April 06, 2007)
At Some Disputed Barricade by Anne Perry
We Shall Not Sleep by Anne Perry
Glitter of Diamonds by N.J. Lindquist
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 28, 2009
new reviews up
(Originally published by Nattie on March 17, 2007)
I have two new reviews up on armchairinterviews.com—Stealing Home and When Women Worship.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2009
Need to dust off my pen, eh?
(Originally published by Nattie on March 07, 2007)
| You Should Be a Poet |
 Your poetry has the potential to make people laugh and cry at the same time. You just need to write it! |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2009
this reminds me of something
(Originally published by Nattie on March 06, 2007)
Dana mentioned something about 21 days of no complaining and I googled it and came across this article which led to this website. It reminds me of something I read in Calm My Anxious Heart:A Woman's Guide To Contentment by Linda Dillow
- Never allow yourself to complain about anything—not even the weather.
- Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.
- Never compare your lot with others.
- Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
- Never dwell on tomorrow—remember that [tomorrow] is God's, not ours.
That was found in the diary of a missionary to Africa named Ella.
Yet again...I feel very, very, very...small.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:47 AM | Comments (1)
September 24, 2009
Bridge to Terabithia
(Originally published by Nattie on March 05, 2007)
I finished my second book in the TBR challenge. Actually I finished it in one afternoon. It was Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson. I had a multitude of reasons for including this book in my challenge.
- 1. I had never read it and I don't know why?!
- They now have a movie out and I cannot see a movie without reading the book.
- My son wanted to see the movie and I must then read the book and see the movie first because that is the type of parent I am.
So one afternoon late last month I sat down with BTT and could not put it down. I finished by the end of the evening. I was wrapped up in the lives of Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke. Having not read it as a child maybe I see a lot more in it than a child would, but I see a son who wants to be loved my his father (maybe this is more intense right now because I'm also reading The Five Love Languages of Children) but I also so understood the girl whose imaginations was fed by books. Sound like anyone you know?
Then last night I went to see the movie. They took huge Hollywood liberties, but I think they stayed true to the heart of the story. *sob*
Bring a box of kleenex with you to the reading and the watching.
Here is an interview with Ms. Paterson on "Christianity Today." I also enclosed a favorite part of the interview for me. Note: there are some spoilers so if you have not read the book or seen the movie...do so first! You will not be disappointed.
There's a trend lately to provide books and films for Christian audiences that are "safe for the whole family." Perhaps your books have been challenged because they're not necessarily "safe" for children. What do you make of the idea that children's books should be "safe"?
Katherine Paterson: Well, don't give them the Bible, then, because it's certainly not a safe book. Safety and faith are different things. If you want everything to be safe, then you can probably just totally do without the imagination. If you're so afraid of your imagination that you stifle it, how are you going to know God? How can you imagine heaven?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2009
Does the US do anything like this?
(Originally published by Nattie on March 01, 2007)
I stumbled across this British website—World Book Day when reading an article about the top 10 books that people cannot live without. Sounds interesting. What were the top 10 books?
- Pride and Prejudice—Jane Austen 20%
- Lord of the Rings—JRR Tolkein 17%
- Jane Eyre—Charlotte Bronte 14%
- Harry Potter books—J K Rowling 12%
- To Kill A Mockingbird—Harper Lee 9.5%
- The Bible— 9%
- Wuthering Heights—Emily Bronte 8.5%
- 1984—George Orwell 6%
- His Dark Materials—Philip Pullman 6%
- Great Expectations—Charles Dickens .55%
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2009
It bears reapeating
(Originally published by Nattie on February 28, 2007)
This song bears repeating and humming...and singing at the top of your lungs while doing the glory dance....
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
September 21, 2009
pondering
(Originally published by Nattie on February 26, 2007)
I've been pondering on why we as humans are never happy where we are. A few weeks ago, I wanted a real winter with snow and all that jazz. I've had it now and I'm over it. Now I want spring. Why can't I live in the moment? And I know I'm not the only one who does this. Why can't we be happy in the here and now?! Life is too fleeting to be wishing away today in search of tomorrow.
So I'm going to try to take a page from Paul's book...
I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.—Phillipians 4:11-13
And all God's children said...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2009
times that try (wo)men's souls
(Originally published by Nattie on February 23, 2007)
I am thankful that I am not God. I couldn't handle the pressure. But there are times when I wonder what He is thinking. I know in His infinite wisdom He does know what he is doing, but still...there are times that try the soul.
Times when you wonder why do mommies lose three-month-old babies? Why do other mommies not even get to birth their babies? Why do I have a son with special needs? Why does a husband think that another woman can meet his needs when he can't even look outside of a beer can? And the list goes on...but God is God and I am not. So I cling to one of His many promises...
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
Amen
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:42 AM | Comments (0)
September 17, 2009
hee hee
(Originally published by Nattie on February 22, 2007)
my nickname in high school was hippie chick...
| You Are Grass Green |
 You accept the world and people as they are. You don't try to change things. You are also very comfortable with yourself, flaws and all. Optimistic about the future, you feel like life is always getting better. |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2009
give the girl a break
(Originally published by Nattie on February 20, 2007)
This might not be a popular opinion, but I just have to get this off my chest. First know this...I am not a Britney Spears fan, but I do have one of her songs as a ringtone for my son's school...Oops, I Did It Again. It seems apropos.
On to my rant that no one will listen to...let the girl be. Yes, she asks for some of the slams and snide remarks, but I can not imagine living my life in a fishbowl the way she does.
She has been under a lot of stress and being a single mom myself without mannies or nannies I've been tempted to go a little wild, too. And if I did I'd like to suffer the consequences without every little action being dissected in the evening news.
So freaking what if she wanted to shave her head. She isn't hurting anyone. The only one she is hurting in all this wildness is herself. Her kids seem to be better cared for right now than a lot of children.
She needs time to heal and American society isn't going to let her by hounding her every little step. If I were Britney I'd probably be tempted to shave my head and flip off the camera too. Give her a break and give her some room to breathe!
/rant
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:39 AM | Comments (0)
September 15, 2009
Check it out
(Originally published by Nattie on February 17, 2007)
My first review is up at armchair interviews—All Will Be Revealed by Robert Anthony Siegel.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:26 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2009
Snow day(s)
(Originally published by Nattie on February 16, 2007)
Nothing like 17" of snow and blizzard-like conditions to make you go a little mad and let you get a lot of reading done. I only just got the car dug out of three-foot snow drifts yesterday and tried driving it today to find that it has a mad knock. So I'll go back to my stack of books. Yes, I've read 10 books so far this month. It's been cold out. And a smidge snowy. *muah*
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2009
Valentines and other firsts remembered
(Originally published by Nattie on February 02, 2007)
I have no idea why, but something prompted me to remember a Valentine's Day First last night.
It was 1987 and I was a gawky 13-year-old. I still wore glasses, but was very vain that day and didn't wear them so I saw everyone through a near-sighted haze. And it was raining. It rarely rained in Sunny California, but it did that February 14th. And I wore a Tweetybird T-shirt and red stretch pants with Jelly shoes. It was 1987 for pete's sake.
I remember feeling weird and awkward in so many ways because I knew things weren't right at home with my parents. My dad had sent my mom 17 yellow roses, but something still wasn't right. Little did I know that a few months later they would separate and divorce.
I was on the student council at my junior high and we sucked the helium out of the red heart balloons we were supposed to be sending as Heart Grams.
It was also my first Valentine's dance and my first slow dance. I danced with Erik what's his name. And it was awkward too. Because as is common in the 7th grade I was already 5'7" and he was probably all of 5'. He probably thought the dance was great. He got to stick his head in my already 38B chest while my friend Kim whispered, "Lean in to it," as we swayed side to side to Tiffany.
My first kiss two years later wasn't any better. Gag me with a spoon. Seriously, I think that was what he was trying to do. Thankfully my second kiss on New Year's Eve 1991 was much better and I decided not to swear off on kissing all together. Although I should have been more selective. These are lessons I will pass to my daughter.
Don't dance with boys who only come up to your armpits.
Don't wear Jelly shoes on rainy days.
Always wear your glasses because you want to remember what the boy you danced with looked like.
And don't be afraid to say, "Eww, back off. Your tongue is hairy."
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2009
mama said
(Originally published by Nattie on February 01, 2007)
Mama said there'd be days like this...
Sing with me!
I love my children. I really really really really do.
But there are days that I don't like them much.
The days when I feel like I have to mold and reprimand and discipline ever step I take. Those are the days when a vacation a deserted Fiji island with a stack of books and case of diet coke would be great. And today is one of those days.
So sing with me.
Mama said there'd be days like this. There'd be days like this.
Mama said. Mama said. Mama said.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:09 AM | Comments (0)
September 09, 2009
website I discovered
(Originally published by Nattie on January 31, 2007)
Thanks to Pattie, I found this website.
She reviews books for them and now I do too.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:17 AM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2009
Winter has truly come to small town, usa
(Originally published by Nattie on January 30, 2007)
So what better reason to stay home and read!
But what am I doing? I am trapsing all over kingdom come running cold errands in a cold car because it never does warm up!
I need my head examined. Surely when the windchill is 9 degrees BELOW zero I have the right to stay home and read The Thirteenth Tale?!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 07, 2009
I need a vacation
(Originally published by Nattie on January 09, 2007)
Not a blog vacation or an internet vacation just an oh-my-gosh-my-life-is-driving-me-nuts-and-I-can't-seem-to-change-it vacation. I watch the news and I know I'll hate myself for saying this when we finally have snow on the ground here, but I think I'd rather be in Colorado than in Small Town USA right now. At least Colorado has oodles of snow and snuggly fires and you have an excuse for snuggling up and hibernating. I have not that excuse right now.
It is bitterly cold right now, but the sun is shining and I'm cranky. And I shouldn't be. No, everything isn't going my way but...it could be worse...
- I only have .19 cents to my name, but I'm alive.
- I don't have a microwave that works or a can opener that doesn't break your hand, but I have neatly organized cabinets full of food that my church gave me and with a little time and effort I can make a meal on the stove. I was born in 1973 not 1993. Microwaves weren't staples until I was an early teen in our households.
- I have no gas in my car, but I don't really have to go anywhere.
- My hobbit apartment is a pigsty no matter how much I clean (I seem to have 2 pigs not 2 children), but I have a hobbit apartment.
- I have a headache because I couldn't sleep and I'm out of some of my medication but again...I'm 80 pounds lighter than I was 2 years ago. I have breathe in my lungs. I am alive!
- My income comes out faster than it comes in, but God is still bigger than the boogeyman. I know he will see us through. I just have to hold on tight.
- I can't afford a vacation, but I can curl up at the end of a day (or maybe the middle if I don't want to face the carpet that needs vacuumed for the millionth time this week) and visit Mitford or Narnia or Hogwarts or St. Simons Island or Prince Edwards Island or wherever my little heart desires because God gave me a brain and I know how to use it.
- Okay, maybe things aren't all bad.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:30 AM | Comments (1)
September 04, 2009
She lives, she learns, she loves
(Originally published by Nattie on January 04, 2007)
It is a new year and I'm going to try to blog more often.
I am still internetless at home, but I have access 6 days a week at the library so there really is no excuse except...
work
kids
ya know
life
and I still seem to have all of the above
and I've already battled a serious case of S.A.D.
and it is only January!
But God is good
all the time.
All the time.
God is good.
More news from Small Town USA soon!!!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 06:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 03, 2009
a tisket, a tasket
(Originally published by Nattie on October 13, 2006)
a tisket, a tasket
a life is full to overflowing basket
what's up in Nattie's life right now?
still working
still single parenting
still volunteering at church
and indoor soccer started a few weeks ago
I coach both Jonathan and Anna's teams
And there is always the challenge of trying to...
keep my temper
keep my head on straight
keep focused on God
not drown in the mundane ickiness of life
and dealing with Mr. Jonathan and the Asperger's
and Miss Anna and the Drama Queen Syndrome which I've been told she'll never grow out of
So what is up in your collective lives?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 02, 2009
kidnapped
(Originally published by Nattie on September 04, 2006)
An all-points bulletin was placed shortly after 11:30 am EST when a large white metal contraption that two-legged creatures call cars parked on a country road in Small Town USA, IN, and abducted two of our children. three of the two-legged creatures were seen with empty plastic bottles in the vicinity of 500 N. Shortly thereafter two of our children went missing.
The youngest is one-inch in length with orange fuzz and answers to the name of Willie. The oldest is two inches in length with auburn fuzz and answers to the name of Wendy. They are believed to be in grave danger. If you know of their whereabouts please call 1-800-BUGNAPPED.
***disclaimer—Anna had a bug show-and-tell at school tomorrow so we bugnapped some woolie worms. I hope their families will forgive us. No bugs were injured in this experiment.****
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 01, 2009
slayed
(Originally published by Nattie on August 30, 2006)
...Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him... ~ Job 13:15
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
August 31, 2009
food for thought
(Originally published by Nattie on August 27, 2006)
I've already mentioned this awesome book I read this summer—Honey for a Child's Heart, but I wanted to share some more quotes and ideas from it because it was rich!
If you must make a fresh decision each day whether you will read the Scriptures and when you will read them, the Bible will probably not be read very often. Increasingly, the family life of believers has little to distinguish it from secular family life. ~ Gladys Hunt
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
August 28, 2009
Achoo
(Originally published by Nattie on August 26, 2006)
having to lounge around all weekend is no fun when...
- snot seems to be coming out of every orifice AND you are out of kleenex
- your head and eyes hurt so much you can't read nor watch tv
- your children are rowdy and you can't emit more than a squeak
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:29 AM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2009
I've painted them this color before
(Originally published by Nattie on August 25, 2006)
| Your Toes Should Be Blue |
 Your ideal guy: Zany, hilarious, and totally unpredictable. Stay away from: Anyone who has to get up for work in the morning |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2009
hair today...gone tomorrow
(Originally published by Nattie on August 24, 2006)
Before
After
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 01:10 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2009
Go figure
(Originally published by Nattie on August 22, 2006)
You scored as English. You should be an English major! Your passion lies in writing and expressing yourself creatively, and you hate it when you are inhibited from doing so. Pursue that interest of yours!
English | 100% | ||
Journalism | 100% | ||
Linguistics | 92% | ||
Theater | 67% | ||
Psychology | 58% | ||
Dance | 50% | ||
Art | 42% | ||
Sociology | 42% | ||
Mathematics | 33% | ||
Chemistry | 33% | ||
Anthropology | 33% | ||
Philosophy | 17% | ||
Engineering | 8% | ||
Biology | 0% |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:08 AM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2009
Simple Pleasures
(Originally published by Nattie on August 21, 2006)
- Home-grown cucumbers fresh from the garden with ranch dressing
- Crystal Light drunk from a wine glass
- Doris Day and Rock Hudson movie marathons
- Singing "undignified" at the top of your lungs
- Stacks and stacks of unread books and a comfy chair to read them in
What are your simple pleasures?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:44 AM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2009
The best book I read this summer
(Originally published by Nattie on August 18, 2006)
Honey For A Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt
There are too many things I loved about this book to list, but I will share two quotes.
Rule #1 Don't Criticize what you haven't read yourself.
and
If families don't read books together, how do they know each other's friends?
I cannot wait to read Honey for a Teen's Heart and Honey for a Woman's Heart.
FYI...I am kinda sorta back online...temporarily.
*muah*
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:39 AM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2009
Life is nothing less than an adventure
(Originally published by Nattie on July 17, 2006)
I don't have internet access at home again as my readers have probably figured out by now and I'm not all that worried about it. Food and gas are more important right now. I've had to tighten ye ol' proverbial belt again. I get so tired of that, but in the fullness of God's time it won't always be this way. A very wise and very high maintenance organic friend *wink, wink* was saying the other day that I'll get through this one day and look back and say, "Oh, that is why it had to be that way." There is some small comfort in that." And I am not alone. I am never alone.
God promises that he is with us always, even to the end of the age...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:31 PM | Comments (0)
August 20, 2009
for some reason
(Originally published by Nattie on June 26, 2006)
for some reason this doesn't offend me.
maybe because I've memorized all of her second album...
| Your Inner Pop Princess Is Kelly Clarkson |
And when the rain would fall down I'd just stare out my window Dreaming of what could be" No doubt about it, you have star quality. Might just take a while to get there. |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:27 AM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2009
Friday Felicities
(Originally published by Nattie on June 23, 2006)
Remember Friday Felicities?
Those are things that make you happy...
- ice cold diet coke
- not being able to sleep so staying up and reading a book all night instead (there are upsides to insomnia)
- first thing in the morning hugs from my babies who aren't really babies anymore
- paperbackswap.com
- lightning bugs
- hammocks swinging in the breeze
Now don't forget to blog about your Friday Felicities and link back to me and leave a comment if you did!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2009
Thursday Thirteen
(Originally published by Nattie on June 22, 2006)
1. I am weaning myself off Diet Coke. Yes, I...the girl who if you cracked open would bleed diet coke instead of blood is only drinking one diet coke a day. 2. I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that God's mercies are new every morning or new every minute and I don't want to "get over it." I want to be amazed by God's grace every day. 3. I got a tattoo when I was in Texas in April. It is Isaiah 54:5 in Hebrew..."Thy creator is thine husband." 4. God is the lover of my soul. He woos me daily and it amazes me too. 5. I love my iPod with a passion. I've been listening to the audio version of "The Chronicles of Narnia" as I go to sleep everynight. Yes, cd players could do this, but my iPod is cute and tiny and it fits in the palm of my hand. 6. I am also a book geek. I love books with a passion. It is God, books, my iPod, then my family and friends. OK, maybe not in that order, but if you saw my apartment you could see my definite love of the written word. My ex in-laws used to joke about going to the library of Natalie instead of the Public Library. 7. What do I love to read? Books! Mysteries, biographies, Christian non-fiction, British fiction, mysteries and more mysteries. I love classics and new novelists...but I'm more likely to like an older writer than a newer one. I have a large stack of old friends...i.e., books i reread often. 8. I don't think I'm interesting enough to think of 13 things about me. 9. God is stirring some changes in my soul. They are exciting, scary and exhilirating all at the same time. Kinda like a rollercoaster ride! 10. Today was the first day off I've had other than Sundays in I don't when. I love my job, but I was getting a smidge burnt out. 11. I'm going to California to visit my mom in July. I can't wait to see the beach again. The kids are excited too. 12. I'm hoping to see my friend Mel when I'm in California. We've been friends since we were in junior high. And now *counts on fingers* well, we are a lot older. She is one of my oldest friends. I need to squeeze her babies who aren't really babies any more. I'd visit Jojo too, but she moved. To Washington! Hmph! 13. My son wants me to fix white soup. It is 86 degrees outside and he wants New England Clam Chowder...he is crazy!!! Of course, I had sausage and green beans for dinner. He must get his craziness from me. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:39 AM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2009
Why does God love me so?
(Originally published by Nattie on June 21, 2006)
Eons ago, OK, maybe just a few weeks ago I watched the much-acclaimed movie "Junebug." It wasn't all that. It was good. It was artsy, but I can see why the mainstream didn't grab on to it and the critics liked it. But that isn't what I'm blogging about. One of the characters said something. It is kinda a bumper sticker theology, but it is true. "God loves you too much to leave you the way you are."
Of course, she said it to a character who was struggling and cussing up a storm because he didn't understand why he was struggling and bumper sticker theology isn't going to help. It is too trite. Even if it is true.
God does love us too much to leave us the way we are. God is peeling the onion layers on me again. Not so much past hurts that I have to heal and give up, but more that I need to grow up and be a parent and the woman of God that he wants me to be. And I can only do it by the grace of God. And it is hard.
Sometimes I wish God didn't love me so much. No...I really don't want to be "Selfish Sally" forever and not change and grow, but there are days...when I just want to be 12 again. I wasn't boy crazy yet. I was still reading my Nancy Drews. I was perfectly happy watching "The Neverending Story." Wait. Maybe I am still 12 trapped in a 32-year-old body. And therein lies the problem.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2009
the quiet one or hitting my head against the wall
(Originally published by Nattie on June 20, 2006)
sometimes you just click along in life thinking you've got it all together and then WHAM...God smacks you upside the head and says, "Hey, you, who do you think you are?"
OK, maybe he doesn't do it quite that way. Usually it is my humaness that makes me WHAM right into something, like a weakness, and I stumble and reel. And God just shakes his head and says, "My child, what were you thinking? Did you really think you were immune this time?"
So He gently brushes me off and glues me back together. Or like right now I'm still sitting here a little stunned and trying to think what I could have done to not have run into this wall AGAIN. WHAM. I'm tired of getting bruises in the same places.
You know I had this cat when I was a little girl that lost hair in the same spot from hitting its head against the door. I always wondered why she didn't learn that if she hit her head against the door it would hurt and she would lose her hair.
I guess me in my humaness. I am a lot like my cat, Sylvia, banging my head against my weakness and sin. God wants to remove that stumbling block. But I just keep thinking if I bang my head against it long enough it will go away. But all I will have is a bruised noggin and patches of hair. Do you know why Sylvia would bump against that door? Because she wanted out?
Lord, I want out of this burden of sin. I am free. I want to live free. Open the door for me. I cannot do it alone.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:39 AM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2009
sometimes
(Originally published by Nattie on June 19, 2006)
being human isn't what it;s cracked up to be.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2009
Thankful Thursday
(Originally published by Nattie on June 15, 2006)
Give thanks with a thankful heart for...
- blue skies
- health
- deep belly laughs
- mountains of books
- God's mercies which are new every morning
- cold water to drink
- hot water to take bubble baths
- warm sun
- air in my lungs
- my babies who aren't much like babies any more
- my job (I work six days this week)
- a roof over my head for the time being
- too much stuff rather than too little
- great friends
- second chances and third and fourth and fifth
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:47 AM | Comments (0)
August 12, 2009
i think i have said this before
(Originally published by Nattie on June 14, 2006)
anyone who knows me at all has heard this before, but i must say this again...
I want to be Beth Moore when I grow up. I would like to sit at her feet and have her teach me what she has learned about God. I want her fire and passion for God.
Yeah, I saw her speak again on "Life Today" and that got me fired up again. But you know what she says about herself? She was a big mess, too, when she was younger and that she is only doing what she is doing now because of God. She too saw someone and said I want what they've got. So there is hope for me yet. God, are you out there? If you see fit to use me...I'd like just a piece of that. I want to know you more.
Oh, and you must watch Wednesday's with Beth on "Life Today." Good stuff! Today she talked about how God IS Love. You cannot take that characteristic away from him because that is his definition. Good shtuff.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2009
It is a brand new day
(Originally published by Nattie on June 12, 2006)
It is a brand new day with no mistakes in it. Yet. But the kids are back from their dad's so I'm sure that mistakes are in the making. There are days when my parenting seems to be one big mistake, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
No matter how painful the last eight years have been and no matter how hard the next 10 plus plus may be, I am so glad for them. Do you know why? I have learned so much about the height, the width and the depth of God's love for us through parenting.
God has no limits. We have limits, but God...our Abba, Father. Our Daddy has no limits. He does not tire. He does not grow weary.
Who would you rather have pick you up when you skin your knee? The limited earthly parent who's had a bad day or the unlimited God who knows no bounds?
How great is our God! His mercies endure forever!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
August 10, 2009
simple pleasures
(Originally published by Nattie on June 11, 2006)
- stacks of books
- chocolate and peanut butter
- large doses of ibuprofen
- old movies
- diet coke
- heating pad
- cuddly blanket
- naps
that has been the majority of my weekend...sometimes I don't like being a woman but sometimes it is good to have an excuse to indulge in simple pleasures with no guilt.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 01:13 PM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2009
note to self
(Originally published by Nattie on June 08, 2006)
hopeless romantics should not watch "Hitch" every night for three nights in a row while trying to go to sleep. Just sayin.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2009
not a feminist
(Originally published by Nattie on June 06, 2006)
I will be the first to admit it. I am not a feminist. I do think women can do just about anything a man can do, but why should we? What is wrong with letting men do for us? Let them be the men *insert Tim Taylor grunt* and I will be the woman.
Yes! I want a man to sweep me off my feet. I don't need one. But I've faced up to the fact that God made me—a woman—this way for a reason—full of unexplainable and politically incorrect desires—and he doesn't make junk.
I want to be cherished and desired. I want to keep a humble castle homey for my prince charming. Maybe I was born in the wrong era. Or maybe not. I'm not ready to ditch my mid rise boot cut jeans and black tshirts and I don't think June Cleaver wore those.
So I think I have the best of both worlds, jeans and tshirts can exist in the world of chivalry, romance and the little woman cooking for her man. Well, they can in my world. It is a happy place here. Don't burst my politically uncorrect rose colored bubble.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 06, 2009
restless
(Originally published by Nattie on June 05, 2006)
i am restless in my spirit and that generally means that God is stirring something up inside me. something needs to change. a habit needs to go. something needs to be tossed on the funeral pyre.
why is it so hard to let go of things that aren't good for us? why is it so hard to take up our cross and follow him? Consider it joy! *smacks head on desk*
Enough by Jeremy Camp
All of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough
You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more aweesome than I know
And all of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough
You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King
You're my everything
Still more awesome than I know
And all of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough
More than all I am
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can say
You are more than enough
And all of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in You is more than enough
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:21 AM | Comments (0)
August 05, 2009
sooo true
(Originally published by Nattie on June 02, 2006)
| You Are Miss Piggy |
 You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won't settle for anything less. You're going to be a total star, and you won't let any of the "little people" get in your way. Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift! |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
August 04, 2009
a kick in my tush
(Originally published by Nattie on June 01, 2006)
on top of the summer reading program and doing Living Beyond Yourself, I'm going to read the Bible this summer. I've been slacking. And I don't want to be a slacker anymore. There is a time and season for that. That season has passed. I'll be reading approximately 16 chapters a day. I want God's word to be like honey to me again. It was at one time. God will grant the desire of my heart.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 06:24 PM | Comments (0)
August 03, 2009
silly quiz time
(Originally published by Nattie on May 30, 2006)
| Your Passion is Purple! |
 If something truly excites you, you let your inner intensity shine through. But otherwise, your passion tends to morph into energy ... which you never lack. You're a balanced woman, knowing when to turn on the fire in your heart. |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)
July 31, 2009
just general shtuff and nonsense
(Originally published by Nattie on May 30, 2006)
- memorial day was hot
- hot, hot, hot
- it was 91 degrees at 10:30 am
- the kids and i tried to picnic at the park, but we only lasted an hour
- then we visited family
- then i battled with water balloons that did not want to be filled or tied
- then i battled Clutter's Last Stand
- i have a bedroom again and not a resting place for clothes
- there is still some clutter behind the door
- shhh
- don't tell
- also rearranged the furniture in the living room
- i had some restless energy yesterday
- the neighborhood kids think it is great to play ding dong ditch
- i think they like to hear me yell at my kids to not open the door
- i think i'll just unplug the doorbell
- i finally got working on my "Living Beyond Yourself" videos and homework
- i also started my first book for the Summer Reading Challenge
- now i have to go back to work
- good thing i like it
- have blessed lazy, summer days
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:22 AM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2009
there has never been a doubt
(Originally published by Nattie on May 23, 2006)
does it ever just blow your mind that God has a plan for you and for your life. a plan that is bigger than you ever imagined. i have this really bad habit of limiting God, but something i've learned over the past year and a half or so is that God is big and if you don't place him in a box, well, he will blow your socks off.
There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. ~ Philippians 1:6 The Message
Here's to having our socks blown off by God. Glory!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)
July 29, 2009
currents
(Originally published by Nattie on May 22, 2006)
current book: I can not list just one...rereading Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, Balance That Works When Life Doesn't by Susie Larson and <Saving Your Second Marriage Before It Starts by Les and Leslie Parrott.
current playlist: I call it my Captivating playlist...
| "Add to the Beauty" | Sara Groves |
| "Amazed" | Lonestar |
| "Beautiful" | Bethany Dillon |
| "Beautiful" | Christina Aguilera |
| "Call Me Beautiful" | Ginny Owens |
| "Glorious" | Chris Tomlin Feat. Christy Nockles |
| "Hide" | Joy Williams |
| "In Your Eyes" | Nichole Nordeman |
| "Mirror" | BarlowGirl |
| "Plain" | ZOEgirl |
| "She Don't Know She's Beautiful" | Sammy Kershaw |
| "The Way You Look Tonight" | Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee |
| Video (Remix) | India Arie |
| "Voice Of Truth" | Casting Crowns |
| "With You" (Acoustic Version) | Jessica Simpson |
| "Wonderful Tonight" (Live) | Eric Clapton |
| "You're Beautiful" | James Blunt |
| You Should Be a Film Writer |
 |
| The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic |
 Your best movie matches: "Office Space," "Showgirls," "The Big Lebowski" |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2009
I'm addicted
(Originally published by Nattie on May 01, 2006)
a few weeks ago I bought a little present for myself.
It fits in the palm of my hand, but it stores tons of stuff.
I haven't even begun to plumb the depths of what my new little friend can do. A little over a week ago I didn't even know how to adjust the volume. Yesterday I discovered podcasts and audiobooks.
Yes, my new friend is an iPod. I cannot say enough about this little investment. I'm in *heart*. Who needs a man? I have an iPod. *giggles behind hand ala sayruh*
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:07 AM | Comments (0)
July 17, 2009
this make me laugh
(Originally published by Nattie on April 29, 2006)
| Your Hillbilly Name Is... |
 |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
July 16, 2009
once upon a time
(Originally published by Nattie on April 27, 2006)
there was a girl who loved to blog.
she blogged all the time.
blog. blog. blog.
she'd walk down the road and say,
"I'm so going to blog that."
Then...life happpened and she stopped blogging.
She started working three to six days a week.
She started avoiding laundry even more and dishes and...
she really wanted to start blogging regularly again.
But she seemed to be having blogger's block
so now she is trying to see how many times she can say blog in a blog entry.
Miss me?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:52 AM | Comments (0)
July 15, 2009
Back in the pocket again
(Originally published by Nattie on April 17, 2006)
Drowning in laundry...
packing lists...
and dirty dishes,
but doing otay.
I've missed you all!
Stop by and say hi!!!!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2009
a little insight
(Originally published by Nattie on March 29, 2006)
We are not called to stay in the valley indefinitely.—Susie Larson
Just some good stuff I learned while at Hearts at Home. I needed it for my little valley sojourn. *muah*
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2009
out of pocket
(Originally published by Nattie on March 27, 2006)
don't cry for me, argentina.
I know I haven't been the most faithful blogger in the past few months anyway, but the next few blogs will be even more happenstance. heh.
I'm suffering from nomoneyforinternetconnectionitits. In plain and simple terms there are more pressing bills and internet was the first fringe benefit to go.
I'll be back. Soon. I hope.
XOXO from the library,
Me
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2009
tis so sweet
(Originally published by Nattie on March 14, 2006)
Cry Out To Jesus
by Third Day (2005)
To everyone who's lost someone they love
long before it was their time.
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye.
And to all of the people with burdens and pains
keepin' you back from your life.
You believe that there's nothing
and there is no one who can make it right.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are.
Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.
For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
have lost all of their faith in love.
and they've done all they can to make it right again
still it's not enough.
For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
you try to give up but you come back again.
Just remember that you're not alone
in your shame and your suffering.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are.
Cry out to Jesus.
When you're lonely and it feels like the whole world is falling on you
you just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus.
To the widow who suffers from being alone,
wipin' the tears from her eyes.
For the children around the world without a home,
say a prayer tonight.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
that meets you wherever you are.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
that meets you wherever you are.
Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.
Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.
Jesus Take The Wheel
by Carrie Underwood
She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way to fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was sooo scared
She threw her hands up in the air
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Oh, Jesus take the wheel
Oh, I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Oh, take it, take it from me
Oh, why, oh
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus...
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
July 10, 2009
a little bit of this, a little bit of that
(Originally published by Nattie on March 11, 2006)
- a year ago I was lying in a hospital bed with a deadly blood clot in my lung
- my divorce was actually final on valentine's day
- life with my son is much like Ted's life with Curious George
- Jonathan was on the A and B Honor Roll for the third quarter and the semester.
- both of my children have had the stomach flu this week
- ...on different days
- being a single working mom isn't fun when your kids are sick
- spring is almost here...and I am so glad
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:42 AM | Comments (0)
July 09, 2009
making my skeletons dance
(Originally published by Nattie on March 07, 2006)
I read a quote on a board today that made me think. As many of you know I read all the time. I mean...ALL. THE. TIME. If I could drive while reading, I would.
And these sign boards with quotes on them tickle me to death with their misspelled words and possible meanings. Today...outside of a rental office...read the quote, "If you can't clear the skeletons out of your closet you best teach them to dance."
For one thing, why in the world does a realtor have a quote like this on their sign and for another it got me thinking about my skeletons. What skeletons do I have in my closet? I really don't think I have any. I have moments I'm not truly proud of, but I don't have any real secrets. If you ask me, I'll tell you.
Why? Because I taught my skeletons to dance. Or rather, God did. What do I mean by they dance? Well, they aren't really entertaining, but I bring them out occasionally to help teach object lessons or to let others know that they are not alone. God brought me to a place where being transparent was healthier than being a locked door.
That's what I mean about my skeletons dancing. I have them. Everyone does, but are they dusty and in the back of your closet or are they out being used as a discipling tool?
Just a thought from this skull of mine...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 04:04 PM | Comments (0)
July 08, 2009
from the ashes
(Originally published by Nattie on February 27, 2006)
I have it in my mind that I need to say that I'm sorry for not blogging more often, but I don't know if I really am. A lot has been going on and blogging just hasn't been a Number One priority. A motto I try to live by is choose the best, let go of the rest. Some days I do okay and other days I fail miserably. I enjoy blogging, but my online time is very precious right now and I have to spend it wisely. So...there you have it. My rather long treatise on why I won't say I'm sorry for not blogging regularly right now.
I've been rather "thinking" lately. I'm officially divorced now. I signed those papers almost three weeks ago, but with courts and red tape I didn't find out for sure that I was really and truly divorced until late last week. And I wonder how I should feel. Relieved? Sad? Happy? Glad?
I'm a little teary-eyed at times when I think of what might have been, but for the most part...I am numb. I hurt more for my children, I think, than for myself. They have gone through so much already all because a dumb...oops I was about to cuss...butt couldn't keep his head in the game. And he still doesn't have a clue how his actions affect them.
I am so thankful that we serve a God who can bring beauty from ashes because there are days when I only see ashes around me. I only see the burnt-up remains of a ruined marriage. I only see the scarred broken hearts of my children lying on the living room floor and I don't even know where my heart is any more. But God can make something from the ashes. He is. I know He is.
Because there are other days when it smells like spring even though it is the dead of winter and in my mind that is the breath of heaven stiring up healing in our broken burnt-up souls.
freedom for captives
good news for the poor
comforting those who mourn
beauty from ashes
gladness for mourning
praise instead of despair
God is in the rebuilding, restoring and renewing business. Glory. ~Isaiah 61:1-4
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
July 07, 2009
snippets of a conversation
(Originally published by Nattie on February 16, 2006)
Me: Hi, it's me. How are you?
Mom: Fine. How are you?
Me: EMPLOYED!!!!!!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:05 AM | Comments (0)
July 06, 2009
I've fallen and I can't get up
(Originally published by Nattie on February 13, 2006)
at least that's the way I feel sometimes.
and sometimes as I lie on the floor I ponder whether i actually want to get up.
I'm tired and I can sleep on the floor, right?
When will I stop being exhausted?
When will the simplest tasks stop taxing me?
When will I bubble over with energy and enthusiasm despite ex-husbands who act like four-letter words, tight budgets, moves, sons with five-dollar word diagnoses, daughters who miss their daddy, bipolar, ear infections, dishes, vacuuming, tiger scouts, nursery duty, counseling appointments, dropping kids off at school or bus stops, supervising homework...
can I get off this merry-go-round?
no wonder I am tired.
there is a solution somewhere in all this mess. I just don't know where.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
July 04, 2009
more evidence
(Originally published by Nattie on February 07, 2006)
more evidence is being found of God's blessings and His goodness.
Over the next four months...
- I get to volunteer at an Acquire the Fire concert and see Jeremy Camp not to mention seeing the awesome work of God in some of today's youth.
- I am going to the Hearts At Home Conference with my bud, Cheryl. I'm so stoked. Sara Groves is going to be there. And Julie Ann Barnhill. And Lysa Terkeurst. And Cheryl!!!!
- I am going to...wait? Am I allowed to tell? Well, it's in April. And it's in Texas. *zerberts* And I'm going to have fun.
- I am going to be a youth chaperone to the Icthus Festival. Do you know what bands are playing there?! Think I can knock the youth aside and join the mosh pit. LOL
Even though I'm still sick, I feel deliciously light and free. Of course, it may just be my Scarlett O'Hara delusion about not thinking about the ickies today. But who wants to think about the ickies today when there are hoop skirts and ball gowns that we can think about. Or songs like "Sing Like The Saved" by David Crowder Band (who is going to be at Icthus, btw) dancing through our heads. The ickies will always be with us. Let's not dwell on them and think on the what is lovely and pure instead.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:12 AM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2009
she lives
(Originally published by Nattie on February 06, 2006)
I could go into a litany of why I haven't been blogging, but I'll keep it short and sweet to save you the agony of my drama queen whining and say...
- signed FINAL divorce papers
- been sick
- still sick
- stressed
- tired
- every other adjective that describes the above four items
- decided that being the mother of a little boy with Asperger's is blank (insert own adjective or adverb here) as if I didn't know that before
BUT
there is a but...God is good all the time. All the time God is good. Sometimes things are rough and sometimes I don't feel like I know where I'm going or what I'm doing, but God does. And if I quiet myself and listen to his still small voice I'm okay. He just blesses my socks off by being God. The one stable thing in my life. He doesn't change. His character isn't different than it was 2000 or 4000 years ago. And sometimes I could kick myself for not figuring this all out sooner. I wish I hadn't tried to fill that God shaped hole with alcohol or sex or food or tv or books or movies. I wish I'd understood that God just wants me. Not perfect me. Not spiffed up polished me. Just broken little Nattie who mumbles and has low self-esteem and ALL the baggage that I was carrying around with me.
God wants you too.
Did I say this would be a simple entry? Well sometimes I just gotta say, Glory! Sometimes my soul is just shouting and dancing even when my body feels like mush. Can I get a GLORY in the house?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 03:49 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2009
Chaff and grain
(Originally published by Nattie on January 21, 2006)
Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away. ~ George Eliott
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 04:59 AM | Comments (0)
July 01, 2009
losing something we love
(Originally published by Nattie on January 20, 2006)
Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. ~ Luke 15:8-10
I know this is about saving lost sinners, but this story also reminds me of searching for things we lose in our lives. Sometimes it is a set of keys. Sometimes it is a marriage. Sometimes it is a friendship. Sometimes it is our first love...our close relationship with God.
I can just see the woman tearing her house apart, looking high and low for her lost coin. Is it under the teapot? The couch cushions? Okay, maybe they didn't have those things in Bible times, but you get the picture.
And you have to wonder if there is a purpose to the losing. Is it to teach us not to be careless? To be more faithful? To pay attention to where you are going instead of what is behind you?
Whatever it is remember that there are things worth looking for and fighting for when lost because they are irreplaceable. And there are other things, like keys that you can just get duplicates for.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 06:58 AM | Comments (0)
June 29, 2009
from some reading today
(Originally published by Nattie on January 20, 2006)
"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I felt it shelter to speak to you."
~ Emily Dickinson
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:23 PM | Comments (1)
Blogger's Block
(Originally published by Nattie on January 14, 2006)
I have a bit of blogger's block. I'm tired of writing drivel and whining. I have more than drivel running through my head, but I can't seem to sit down and string the thoughts together cohesively. So today I'll have you read this because Dana got it right on. And maybe I'll have it together in the near future.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2009
by the way
(Originally published by Nattie on January 10, 2006)
plural for bongoes can also be bongoS.
I know.
I need to get a life.
Main Entry: 1bon·go
Pronunciation: 'bä[ng]-(")gO, 'bo[ng]-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural bongos also bongoes
Etymology: American Spanish bongó
: one of a pair of small connected drums of different sizes and pitches played with the hands
- bon·go·ist /-"gO-ist/ noun
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2009
How Great Is Our God
(Originally published by Nattie on January 08, 2006)
The song that brought me to my knees in worship today. No band. No guitars. No drums. No keyboardist. Our praise band had been in an accident yesterday and two of our youth are still in the hospital.
So today we had just a piano and a congregation praising God.
It's amazing how a song we've heard a million times before can become so poignant in an instant...
How Great Is Our God
by Chris Tomlin
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
June 25, 2009
is it possible?
(Originally published by Nattie on January 03, 2006)
Is it possible that the bright shiny new year is already three days old? Let me see...Sunday morning I went to church. Yes, that was January 1st. The calendar says so. So it must be true.
The children went to their dad's. I took down the Christmas tree. It was up a scant 17 days. Did you know that even fake trees drop pine needles? just sayin'.
I contemplated the bareness of my corner without the tree and decided to move the rest of my books the next day. I guess that would have been yesterday, Monday.
There are a few possible titles for this picture...
- you might be a redneck if you have a lawn chair in your living room
- welcome to the library of nattierose
- are all those unread? or my personal favorite...
- home sweet home
I do hope to have a comfy chair in that corner at some point and I might get some bookshelves to replace some broken in the move, but I kinda like this style of book geek shabby chic.
Oh, and all of those are not unread. Some of those are very old and dear favorites that moved 2,222 miles with me. Some. Not all.
Today. Yes, the calendar says it is January 3rd. How can that be? I puttered around doing laundry. Lots of laundry. Enjoyed a tidy apartment for a few hours. Finished my second book of the new year and started two more. Then picked the kids up from the visit with their dad. So much for a tidy apartment. But the apartment is now filled with shreiks and giggles, cabbage patch dolls and army men, smelly socks and pink polka dot socks that never make it to the laundry without an often not so gentle reminder.
It's nice to have them back home again.
As long as I'm not expected to play "Sorry!"
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
June 24, 2009
stacking mt. tbr for '06
(Originally published by Nattie on December 31, 2005)
This is the year when I will look in my own personal library and read all those books I've been wanting to and meaning to read. This is just a tentative framework because I realized not all my books are moved yet and I still want to add a plain ol' fiction category and a reread category. *rubs hands in glee* I can't wait to get started...
classic christian non-fiction
A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliott
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
The Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
The Journals of Jim Elliott by Elisabeth Elliott
Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
christian non-fiction
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Hearing God by Dallas Willard
The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge
Lessons I Learned In The Dark by Jennifer Rothschild
Margin by Richard Swenson
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Kevin Leman
Boundaries with Kids by Cloud and Townsend
The Five Love Languages of Kids by Chapman and Campbell
The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Girl Meets God by Lauren F. Winner
Falling In Love With Jesus by Kathy Troccoli and Dee Brestin
non-fiction
On Writing by Stephen King
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl
Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
classic fiction
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 12:44 PM | Comments (1)
June 23, 2009
Auld lang syne 2005
(Originally published by Nattie on December 31, 2005)
I looked it up. "Auld land syne" is Scottish for good old days or time remembered with fondness. Do I look back at 2005 fondly? I can't really say that 2005 has been a good year. If you look at it with bald- faced statistics it has been pretty crappy.
I spent the first two months of '05 trying to keep my marriage together then found out that it was all for naught. My husband had been having an affair anyway while telling me he wanted to work on his marriage and going to counseling with me. I had a life-threatening blood clot in my lung and was in the hospital in March. In May the man I thought was the love of my life decided our marriage wasn't worth working on and moved out anyway. The summer was a respite, it wasn't easy financially, but it was peaceful compared to the early and later months. Then in August Jonathan started first grade and also started having more problems in school. We discovered that he had Asperger's Syndrome and that his dad was living with his girlfriend after telling all of us that he had been living with his mom. In November I finally got the courage up to pull the bandaid off and I filed for divorce, six months to the day after my husband left me yet I was the one that was told that I had betrayed him.
No, it was a good year.
But, yes, I do look back at it fondly despite all that because I've grown wiser and stronger. I'm closer to God than I ever was before. I think I've come out of this time of refining a better person. I don't think I passed every testing with flying colors, but I've learned a lesson each and every time and that has truly made me grow.
Also I'm 260 lbs lighter than I was this time last year. Sixty lbs are lbs I lost and 200 lbs are the dead weight that I am now officially "provisionally" divorced from.
So I shall always look back at 2005 as the year...
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Cor 4:7-9 NIV)
and
But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.
(Isaiah 43:1-3)
and
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Glory!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:15 AM | Comments (1)
June 22, 2009
more joys of Christmas break
(Originally published by Nattie on December 29, 2005)
* endless games of SORRY where only one person can win no matter how much you cry or scream or kick or yell or...you get the idea
* trying to explain exactly what the boy penguin and the girl penguin are doing in the "March of the Penguins" to make a baby penguin
* the carols of Pikman 2 playing in the background constantly
* calls of, "I'm hungry," five minutes after you've eaten dinner
* cuddling on the couch to watch "The Polar Express"
* reading books together
* threatening to throw the Gamecube away if I hear one more fight break out
* threatening to throw myself in front of the train if they run in the apartment again...wait, they might like that?!
* threatening to take...(insert toy here)...if they fight over it again
* hearing one of the munchkins say, "I love you, mommy."
I guess I'll make it till January 9th. Maybe.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2009
free to a good home
(Originally published by Nattie on December 28, 2005)
free to a good home two highly intelligent angelic children *crosses fingers behind back* who are hardly ever prone to temper tantrums, who never fight and who always clean their room. i.e. When will Christmas break be over?!
***special note: no children where injured in the writing of this blog although their mother is taking highest dose of aleve allowed chased with diet coke
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 12:42 PM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2009
My Theme Song for '06
(Originally published by Nattie on December 27, 2005)
Praise You In This Storm
by Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For you are who you are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
More on the theme for 2006 this week, I'm working on organizing the detritus of having Christmas and a move happen in the same month. And my theme for 2006 has nothing to do with organization. LOL
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 18, 2009
Merry Christmas to all
(Originally published by Nattie on December 24, 2005)
In the spirit of Christmas here is a Christmas greeting with my munchkins in a scared santa photo - op. I realized after the picture that Jonathan had peed his pants. And Anna was having a mild panic attack about talking to him at all. I told her she didn't have to talk to him today but she was going to have to talk to him Friday when he was at her school. So...
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!!!!!!!!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
June 17, 2009
sweet charity
(Originally published by Nattie on December 23, 2005)
I guess I've grown a smidge.
Did you know there are two basic schools of thoughts on charity?
One is "I'm too proud to accept charity and you should be too proud too."
The other is "Your hands are God's hands blessing me."
My ex told me this week that it makes him look bad because people are giving the kids gifts. I kept my mouth shut. Then he said that people are saying it makes me look bad because people are giving the kids gifts. I had to understand that one. I forgot that I was talking to someone who doesn't even try to talk to God or understand the ways of God.
After hearing that "they" (i.e. his friends) said I just lazy and trying to milk the system and feeling the pain of those words the LIGHT shown down. What was the truth?
1. I am terribly proud.
2. I hate to ask for help.
3. I have learned hard lessons this year that pride is not a good thing.
4. God has met our family's needs in ways I could not even imagine without the help of a man who thinks it makes him look bad because when he left us he stepped out as my provider. He is still responsible for his children, but he is not our provider.
5. God wants to bless his children.
6. The world won't understand God's ways and they'll call me crazy. Call me Noah. I don't care. This won't be the first time. I will walk by faith even when I cannot see because this broken road prepares your will for me.
This is just one of the many lessons I'v learned over this hard broken road of a year. I will accept sweet charity and I will hold my head high and thank the Lord for what He has given me AND for what he has taken away because that is what he requires of me.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)
June 16, 2009
who am I in Christ
(Originally published by Nattie on December 21, 2005)
There are times in my life when I flounder wondering who I am in Christ. There are days when my self worth is about [] that big. Especially on days when my children rave about the other woman in my ex-husband's life, about how great she is, and about what wonderful presents she gives, and about how pretty she is. And I keep reaching for something to remind me about who I am.
I don't need to put her down to remember that I am a daughter of the king and that the king is captivated by my beauty. But it is hard. And it has been a hard year.
There are times when you wish the devil didn't know the buttons to push on the back of your head like Mark Hall from Casting Crown says. There are times when you wish there was a bag of chips and french onion dip calling your name. Times when you didn't feel like drowning your sorrows in food instead of running to the comfort of the father. Abba, father.
Who am I? In the grand scheme of things I really am nothing, but in the heavenly scheme of things, other woman or not...I am His. I am called. I am an adopted daughter of the King. I am a princess. I am the crown of creation. And when my heart fails within me I know that He is my portion. And He never changes. Always and forever.
And I may not have glossy brown hair and be a cute petite latino blankity blank, but I am a tall sexthy hot mama with legs up to my neck and big blue eyes. So take that...oops. That was my flesh talking there for a second.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
June 15, 2009
still got it
(Originally published by Nattie on December 19, 2005)
THIS is the picture I should have posted when I said I was still pretty cute for 30 something. I think I'm one hot mama for all the carp I've been through this year and I definitely need to get contacts again...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)
June 11, 2009
true dat
(Originally published by Nattie on December 19, 2005)
I was and still am a brain/nerd/geek whatever you want to call it and am proud of it. Brain power!!!!
| Brainy Kid |
 |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2009
an unentry
(Originally published by Nattie on December 17, 2005)
I've blogged about this before, but since all my blog entries for the past two years were lost in the "fire" (i.e. crash) of aught five I'm going to blog about it again. Heh. It's my perogative. I'm gonna do what I wanna do. Okay, that would be another blog entry...This one is favorite Christmas movies, not flashback '80s songs.
So in no particular order, my favorite Christmas movies...
- "A Christmas Carol" (I have yet to really have a favorite version...actually seeing the live play blew me away).
- "A Christmas Story"
- "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
- "The Santa Clause"
- "Charlie Brown Christmas"
- "It's A Wonderful Life"
- "The Preacher's Wife"
- "The Bishop's Wife"
- "White Christmas"
- "Miracle on 34th Street" (original verison)
- "Frosty the Snowman"
- "Veggie Tales The Toy That Saved Christmas"
- "Veggie Tales The Star of Christmas"
- "Home Alone, 1 and 2"
- "While You Where Sleeping" always feels like a Christmasy movie to me as does...
- "You've Got Mail" and
- "When Harry Met Sally" and
- "Little Women" and
- "Home for the Holidays" (technically a Thanksgiving movie, but one of the funniest Holiday movies of all times, IMO.)
- And for my dad..."Die Hard"
I know there are more Christmas movies out there and I'm forgetting some, but those are ones I have in my collection.
What are your favorites? Tell me more to try and ones that I have to add. I'm a sucker for old movies.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 09, 2009
Friday Felicities 12/16
(Originally published by Nattie on December 16, 2005)
It has been a while since I've been able to do Friday Felicities actually on my blog so here goes and don't forget a Felicity is something that makes you happy...
1. My new-to-me cozy hobbit-size apartment.
2. My not-so-hobbit-size seven-foot Christmas tree.
3. The gifts under the tree given by generous people.
4. Gingerbread cookies.
5. Egg nog.
6. A wall stacked to the ceiling with books (we need not mention that it is a hobbit-sized ceiling).
7. That big beautiful snow flakes fell on my birfday.
8. That God loves me even though I'm far from perfect.
9. That he demonstrates that love to me in ways that I never imagined or dreamed even though I'm far from perfect.
10. That my children are seeing the bounty of that love.
11. That we have conversations about being born again and about who is the oldest sibling in LWW.
12. Tigger slippers
13. Flannel pjs
14. Diet Coke with Lime
15. Great big worn out Bibles.
16. Tis the season for snail mail galore and not junk mail!
| Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas |
 Which is much more important to you than nifty presents. |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 05, 2009
Happy birfday to me
(Originally published by Nattie on December 15, 2005)
thirty*mumblemumble* years ago I made my appearance a few days later than expected and was my cousin's sixth birthday present by a scant 15 minutes. My mom was happy that I made it on the 15th and my dad said I didn't look like anybody he knew. LOL Happy birday to me and to my cousin Joy!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (3)
June 04, 2009
christmas tree musings
(Originally published by Nattie on December 14, 2005)
while standing precariously on a chair trying to place lights a seven-foot tree I realize that a 6 foot 2 light stringer...I mean husband, does have it's advantages.
Just sayin.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)
June 03, 2009
Break out the 'nog
(Originally published by Nattie on December 12, 2005)
I'm back online.
Moving sucketh.
But it's my birthday week and it is a winter wonderland outside
AND I have a new to me seven-foot tree to decorate in my new-to-me cozy little apartment.
So break out the egg nog and SING JOY!!!!!!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2009
pennies from heaven
(Originally published by Nattie on December 01, 2005)
I have never literally seen a penny fall from heaven, but I have had a twenty dollar bill fall out of my empty arms. I've also had gas bills paid by unknown benafactors or had twenty dollar bookmarks left in a book sitting in my purse (I know who left that bookmark this time and thank you!).
I've also had my car insurance paid and new tags put on my car. I've had checks that I didn't know were coming flutter out of Christmas card. Do you know where all of these items come from? Heaven.
They may be directly given by a real person, but they are ambassadors of God, whether they know it or not.
So whether that is where the term "pennies from heaven" came from, that is what I consider the meaning to be. Blessings falling on those who need them when they need them directed by God's hand. Blessings big and small. Because pennies from heaven doesn't have to be a monetary blessing; sometimes all you need today is to know that you matter.
Let's not forget that in this season and all year through. Let's be ambassadors of pennies from heaven. I want to be used by God to bless others the way He has blessed me.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 30, 2009
more goofy quizzes
(Originally published by Nattie on November 28, 2005)
These things always make me laugh...
| Your Brain's Pattern |
 You have a dreamy mind, full of fancy and fantasy. |
You Are 20% Boyish and 80% Girlish |
Even if you're not a girl, you're very feminine. You're in touch with your feelings, and your heart rules you. A bit of a emotional roller coaster, one moment you're up and the next you're down. But no matter what, you try to be as cute and perky as possible. |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:59 AM | Comments (0)
May 29, 2009
spot on
(Originally published by Nattie on November 26, 2005)
| You Are Likely an Only Child |
 At work and school, you do best when you're organizing. When you love someone, you tend to worry about them. In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic. Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management. You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books. |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:08 AM | Comments (0)
May 28, 2009
God Will Make A Way
(Originally published by Nattie on November 26, 2005)
God Will Make A Way
by Don Moen
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way....
He will make a way
Oh God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way.....
He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today
Oh God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way...
He will make a way
Oh God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way....
He will make a way
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way....
He will make a way
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 27, 2009
old farmers tales
(Originally published by Nattie on November 23, 2005)
Like old wives, old farmer's have tales. And an old farmer once told me that the number of the day of the season's first snow would be the number of days it would snow that season. I tend to trust old farmers especially since I live in the midwestish area. If they are even close to being right that would mean that we would have TWENTY THREE days of snow this season?! Heh. That's a lot of shnowin'. Just sayin.
~ Anna mucking up the first snowfall. ~
It's so purty coming down, but I loathe driving in it. I had to remind her not to eat any yellow snow, but we both caught some snow flakes on our tongues surely that isn't deadly. ;-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 26, 2009
nonsensical
(Originally published by Nattie on November 22, 2005)
some of the girls and I were having fun goofing off at this site this weekend. This is one warning label that I think I should wear...
dana gave me this warning label...LOL
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 25, 2009
breaking the mold
(Originally published by Nattie on November 21, 2005)
***warning: if any parental like figures (that would be you, daddy and/or aunt anne) are reading this blog today they may want to skip this entry. there is going to be some sharing of my sordid past that might make ya'll uncomfy***
I used to be a good girl. I prided myself on the fact that I was a good girl. I could have been Josie from "Never Been Kissed" except I wasn't 23. I was 15 when I had my first kiss, but unlike Josie it wasn't that "thing." You know...love or anything closely resembling it. It was more of a matter of getting it over with because I was behind most other girls and their first kisses.
I could have been kissed before then, but I had wanted it to be love. Let's just say, I wish I had waited. It was so horrible that I was 17 before I allowed any boy to touch these rosebud lips again. Do I sound like Scarlett O'Hara or what? And that was closer to love and dangerous for a 17-year-old girl who wanted to be a good girl for all the wrong reasons full of raging hormones.
What are the wrong reasons for wanting to be a good girl? Because people impressed upon me that if I was a good girl I would be more loved. Then there are the boys "impressing" upon you that they will love you more if you, well, you know.
So it went too far one time. The good girl was in a hot and heavy situation. Only 17. I said, "No." He says I said, "Yes." To this day I really don't care who was right or wrong. But even in those days it was called date rape, but I call it the day that I decided to truly break the mold. I wasn't going to be the good girl anymore. I'd lost my virginity so why stay pure. Who cared. I forgot that God did. It took a long time for God to reach me. In fact, six years, 2222 miles, at least three broken hearts (all mine), who knows how many emotional scars and a baby.
I found out that no matter how hard you try to break the mold and that no matter how hard you try to run away from your past that your past will find you until you deal with it the right way. Hiding them in the sand doesn't help. Only revealing them to God's redeeming grace and allowing him to heal them will actually get rid of them. And after reading Captivating did I realize why I was so haunted by these kinds of sins. Satan doesn't want women to flourish and prosper. We might actually be healthy then. Heh.
Now I break the mold in a new kind of way. That to be a woman of God you don't have to be the cookie-cutter church lady of the 1950s. You can wear jeans and a doo-rag and still have a heart for God. You can have a tattoo and be pierced and still have a heart for worship. You can be imperfect and still be 100% sold out for God and be used by God. I like that broken mold. Which is the way God wants us for he is truly strong in our weakness. He works better with moldable clay.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
May 23, 2009
Mirror, Mirror on the wall
(Originally published by Nattie on November 20, 2005)
*** Some of you may not understand my blogging style lately, but this is a lot like my real paper journal...a smattering of this and that...song lyrics that move me, pictures, poems I write, streams of consciousness and you are getting a little heavy on the song lyrics lately because I've not had a lot of words that I can say without being horribly bitter, sappy, or insane. so today you get a picture and song lyrics. ***
"Mirror"
by Barlow Girls
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won't define me
Sorry you don't own me
Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try
Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me
You don't define me, you don't define me
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:49 AM | Comments (0)
May 22, 2009
to betray
(Originally published by Nattie on November 16, 2005)
just in case you don't have a good grasp of the English language and need a refresher course...
Main Entry: be·tray
Pronunciation: bi-'trA
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from be- + trayen to betray, from Old French traïr, from Latin tradere—more at TRAITOR
transitive senses
1 : to lead astray; especially : SEDUCE
2 : to deliver to an enemy by treachery
3 : to fail or desert especially in time of need
4 a : to reveal unintentionally b : SHOW, INDICATE c : to disclose in violation of confidence
intransitive senses : to prove false
It did not say that you were betrayed if you made some one own up to their responsibilities six months after they left them. Just sayin.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2009
Strong Enough
(Originally published by Nattie on November 14, 2005)
Strong Enough
by Stacie Orrico
Will you criticize me as I sit and cry?
I had fought so hard and thought that all my battles had been won
Only to find the war had just begun
Chorus:
Is He not strong enough?
Is He not pure enough?
To break me, pour me out and start again?
Is He not brave enough?
To take one chance with me
Please can I have one chance to start again
Will my weakness fall and and now make me suffer for a lifetime?
Is there any way to be made whole again
If I be renewed and find forgiveness by the strength I've never had
Will my scars forever ruin all God's plans?
Chorus:
Is He not strong enough?
Is He not pure enough?
To break me, pour me out and start again?
Is He not brave enough?
To take one chance with me
Please can I have one chance to start again
He took my life into His hands
And turned it all around
In my most desperate circumstance, is where I'm finally found
That You are strong enough
That You are pure enough
To break me, pour me out and start again
That You are brave enough
To take one chance on me,
Oh thank You for my chance to start again
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
May 20, 2009
I so agree with the first one
(Originally published by Nattie on November 14, 2005)
| You Are 70% Weird |
 But you wig out even the biggest of circus freaks! |
| The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic |
But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky. Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski |
movies I've never seen..heh
| You Should Learn French |
 You are definitely a Parisian at heart. You just need your tongue to catch up... |
And does watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in French count?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:09 AM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2009
My Irreplaceable Role
(Originally published by Nattie on November 12, 2005)
To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area,
deciding sales, banquets, labors and holidays; to be Whiteley
within a certain area, providing toys, boots, sheets, cakes
and books, to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals,
manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might
exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it.
How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about
the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children
about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing
to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No; a woman's
function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute.
~ G.K. Chesterton from What Is Wrong With The World quoted in Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2009
the pattern of my days
(Originally published by Nattie on November 08, 2005)
exists around parenting through a daze
a thick fog
of thoughts that threaten to strangle
divorce
there is a message on the answering machine from the school
lawyers
"Your rent is past due."
doctors
Asperger's Syndrome
"I have no money to give you this month."
the pattern of my days
dances around situations out of my control
there is a light at the end of the tunnel
I do see a break in the clouds
my one constant
who promised, "I will never leave you
nor forsake you."
And the fog blows away
scattered like leaves in the wind
the pattern of my days
falls into place again
by N.R.Y.
11/08/05
(Daddy's note: It was on this date two years ago that we learned the seriousness of Natalie's illness. We did not know that we had but 21 more days to share with her. Last year I re-posted her entries from those final three weeks. At this time I have no plans to do that again. But we still have the Relay For Life coimng in three weeks, and if you wish to write "Letters to Nattie," again, I will post them on June 7, the date of her passing. {{{{{Y'all!}}}}})
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:52 AM | Comments (1)
May 16, 2009
donations being accepted
(Originally published by Nattie on November 03, 2005)
for my legal fund.
just sayin.
heh.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:40 PM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2009
I am a typical british beauty...heh.
(Originally published by Nattie on November 02, 2005)
You have the Reynolds girl look. Reynolds girls had the typical British beauty. The 18th Century British portrait painters would have been attracted by your brilliant complexion and your classical features. Sir Joshua Reynolds loved to paint girls like you in white dresses with blue satin sashes. Reynolds and other portrait painters of his time also portraye blue-eyed, dark-haired girls, and golden-haired ones too, plus the occasional redhead. The following painters would have painted you; Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir Thomas Lawrence.
'Pretty As A Picture' - Which Artist Would Paint You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 14, 2009
Dear God
(Originally published by Nattie on November 1, 2005)
I am tired of only praying when I want or need something from you. I want (there is that word again) something more. I need *sigh* something more. I desire a deeper relationship with you that is not driven by wants, but is spurned by a need to just be with you and talk to you and share. Now how do I get there?
Love,
Your Child.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:28 AM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2009
drama
(Originally published by Nattie on October 31, 2005)
there is drama and then there is drama. I guess I'm a passionate person and I can be a smidge dramatic. My deoderant breaking can be comedic, tragic and, yes, dramatic. BUT that drama is the spice of life. Seeing the drama in the mundane is fun, IMO. The people who feel the lowest lows also feel the highest highs. Ask Anne Shirley.
But when people who shall not be named keep my life in constant turmoil because they can't fulfill their roles and responsibilities, well, that's not the drama I'm looking for. That drama can just take a flying leap off the nearest building, the taller the better. That drama isn't necessary to fuel life.
I have enough passion for God and family and the mundane to find adventure in the corner of my living room. I don't need this brand of drama. Thankyouverymuch.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2009
a time to mourn
(Originally published by Nattie on October 28, 2005)
Homesick
by Mercy Me
You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2009
Trunk or Treat
(Originally published by Nattie on October 27, 2005)
Last night was the annual Trunk or Treat celebration at my church. My kids like me to dress up so I was a mouseketeer. Not minnie mouse. Not mickey mouse. A mouseketeer from the mickey mouse club. Like that thing that we used to watch on Disney before Britney, Justine and Jessica were on. LOL
Anna was a pink puppy dog...
And Jonathan stayed home because he has been in trouble at school three days in a row, but he will be spiderman for halloween if he can ever stay out of trouble.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 09, 2009
I'm such a sucker
(Originally published by Nattie on October 24, 2005)
I am such a sucker for sappy love songs, especially country ones.
And Jojo introduced me to one I hadn't heard before. I love Terri Clark. I saw her in concert years ago with George Strait.
Oh, she said this song made her think of me. The romantic in me hopes so some day...
She Didn't Have Time
by Terri Clark
He said goodbye from the edge of the porch
like she'd been some casual friend
he said "you're better off without me
i'm not what you need"
like her momma had said about him
he started the car
pulled out of the drive
didn't waste any time lookin' back
she watched him go
thinkin' even a stranger
would show more compassion than that
she could've cried but she didn't have time
she had a baby to feed
a pink blanket to find
to rock their little one to sleep
she could've laid in bed for hours
giving misery the power
but she didn't have time
she got a sitter, she got a job
'cause she had a promise to keep
her day was a factory and evening survival
at night was exhaustion and sleep
sometimes she felt life was passing her by
and watching was all she could do
her friends said "you gotta get outta the house
and maybe you'll meet someone new"
she could've tried
but she didn't have time
she had a five year old to feed
she had ballet class, piano lessons
and t-ball little league
she could've laid awake for hours
giving lonely nights the power
but she didn't have the time
not time where would she find the time
to trust a man again
not time for that flat tire
a crowded parking lot and then
not time to just have coffee with the man
who got her tired fixed
she was thinking gosh he's handsome
when he asked do you have kids
she could've lied
but she didnt have time
all she said was "she's five"
he said "i saw the car seat I love kids
does she have your eyes?"
and they sat and talked for hours giving destiny it's power
she could've been afraid
to fall in love that night
but she didn't have time
she could've been afraid
to fall in love that night
but she didn't have time
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 01:47 PM | Comments (0)
May 08, 2009
Coach Nattie and a little soccer star
(Originally published by Nattie on October 21, 2005)
I am not actually coaching Anna's soccer team. I am coaching Jonathan's team, but he rarely sits still long enough for me to take a picture of him. I'll try again tomorrow.
We won our first game 5 to 3. And I have...no. idea. what. I'm. doing.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 07, 2009
Tomorrow I start a new adventure
(Originally published by Nattie on October 14, 2005)
I am not just a soccer mom any more. I'm a soccer coach.
Of course, I'm not the average soccer mom since I don't have a minivan, so I won't be the average soccer coach either. And that's putting it lightly.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 06, 2009
more stuff and nonsense
(Originally published by Nattie on October 10, 2005)
| Your Band Name is: |
 |
| You Are an Indie Rocker! |
 And you couldn't care less about being signed by a big label. You're all about loving and supporting music - not commercial success. You may not have the fame and glory, but you have complete control of your career. |
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 05, 2009
our family has a new shape
(Originally published by Nattie on October 09, 2005)
My daughter has a project for school called star of the day and she has to fill out a form about herself. Stuff like: my name is... I like to... I want to be .... when I grow up, etc.
Then there is a blank for this is my family...
and you are supposed to send pictures.
For one thing I have very few prints because of the digital age and for another thing the shape of our family has shifted a little. It has changed. There is a hole where someone used to be. So I've been taking pictures over the last week to match this new shape. There are pictures of the kids with their dad and pictures of me with them. Last year I sent pictures of the four of us together. Who knew that one little preschool project could make me so sad.
Here are some of the better pictures that I copied at CVS today...
Anna ~ five years old and adorable when she wants to be
Mommy and Anna
Jonathan (7) and Anna (5)...pretending to like each other
...the new shape of our family
...and Jonathan goofing off no matter what shape the family is.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
May 04, 2009
more silly quizzes
(Originally published by Nattie on October 07, 2005)
| You Are Changing Leaves |
 |
| Your Musical Tastes Match: Jennifer Garner |
 |
| You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy) |
 |
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2009
Friday Felicities 10/7
(Originally published by Nattie on October 07, 2005)
1. Fall
2. Little Debbie Pumpkin Delight Cookies because I'm too lazy to make my own cookies
3. Did you know that Yankee Candle has a Mocha Nut Lattee scent?! I just discovered it this week. Do you think that our local Hallmark would notice if I hung around sniffing their candles?
4. Field Trips to Pumpkin Patchs
5. Temporary jobs
6. Inside jokes like Vomit the frog
7. Flickr
8. That Lydia is back home
9. That CJ is back in her home town even if she can't live in her home
10. That Sayruh is brave enough to video herself doing the cabbage patch
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)
April 30, 2009
What book of the Bible are you?
(Originally published by Nattie on October 5, 2005)
You are Psalms.
Which book of the Bible are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 29, 2009
WWMD
(Originally published by Nattie on October 04, 2005)
I've been faced with some really tough parenting decisions lately regarding my seven-year-old son. And there are so many opinions about what to do and who to see, "etc., etc., etc." (said in best Yul Brenner voice). I felt like I was on information overload and not feeling any closer to an idea about what God wanted me to do for my dear little boy.
So I decided to strip all the information away and ask myself if I lived 2000 odd years ago in the days of Jesus, what would a mother faced with the same problem do? And the answer was so simple. She would take her son to Jesus.
That was it.
I had to take my son to Jesus figuratively, prayerfully, daily, hourly and everything would be fine. Jesus would heal him just as he healed the little children back then. Sometimes he healed them in powerfully miraculous ways and sometimes he just gave the parents strength to know what to do, but all I had to do was bring him to Jesus.
At that point I stopped worrying. I know that everything is going to be okay. I still have dr's appointments and conferences and stacks of information to read through, but I've taken my baby boy to Jesus. And we are going to be okay.
So if ever you are faced with a difficult situation and you wonder what to do with your child...just ask yourself what would a mom do in biblical times? Bring them to Jesus.
Matthew 19:13-15 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2009
I am captivating
(Originally published by Nattie on October 03, 2005)
I am reading an excellent book by John and Stasi Eldredge that inspired my new blog banner—Captivating—Unveiling The Mystery of A Woman's Soul .
I can't rave enough about this book and I've only read the first four chapters. It is a book to be savored and you must allow the principals to deeply penetrate the bruised places in your soul.
I also encourage you to watch the archives of "Life Today" when John and Stasi visited. They have such a passion for the lost souls of men and women. You will want to be captivated too.
Oh, I just checked their website and they are on again this week. Woot!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:31 AM | Comments (0)
April 27, 2009
Friday Felicities 9/30
(Originally published by Nattie on September 30, 2005)
1. crisp fallish weather on a sunny fall day
2. butterfly kisses from a little girl with her bedtime prayers
3. a not so little anymore boy saying sleepily that he likes to pray as I tuck him in
4. Anne Shirley Blythe's world o' books
5. TGIF Chicken Quesadilla Rolls
6. New haircuts and new glasses
7. bedtime can't be that far away, can it?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2009
just sayin
(Originally published by Nattie on September 21, 2005)
reality is highly overrated right now
give me a dose of chocolate something with peanuts
and diet coke
Stat
add some episodes of "Friends"
PRN
and emails and message board posts from W@H
qid (or more—you can't overdose on this one)
coat liberally with prayer and praise music
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:29 AM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2009
I love these quizzes
(Originally published by Nattie on September 17, 2005)
Visual Learner
You are a Visual Learner. You like to see things for yourself, read the directions, and study the diagrams. You learn well through reading, and seeing pictures, models, and visual demonstrations. You notice minute details and are fascinated by the intricacies of the world around you.
What Is Your Learning Style? Quiz for Adults
brought to you by Quizilla
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:12 PM | Comments (0)
April 23, 2009
friday felicities 9/16
(Originally published by Nattie on September 16, 2005)
1. Helping someone who has helped me so much.
2. Homemade tortillas.
3. Being able to open the windows for a little bit in the daytime.
4. Laughing with friends.
5. A son who was good at school ALL week.
6. Two little ones tucked safely in bed.
7. Anne of Green Gables books One through Seven.
8. Old movies.
9. Reduced-fat pringles.
10. The fact that I'm still alive after giving up chocolate for 10 days so far. Heh.
11. Yankee candles.
12. Old friends.
13. New friends.
14. My best friend ever—GOD.
15. David Crowder Band...I want to be their groupie in a wholesome way. Heh.
16. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully I won't have a headache in it.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 22, 2009
I have these friends
(Originally published by Nattie on September 12, 2005)
I have these friends...and I've stopped saying that I met them online because a lot of people just look at you like, "Huh? You what?"
I saw this quote the other day that made me think of these friends.
The space between yesterday and today is filled with acceptance, forgiveness, and remembering to laugh.That describes them perfectly. I can't believe that I met some of them three years ago, others two years ago, others one year ago...and others only months ago. But they all hold a special place in my heart.
Thank you, Lord, for my friends. And I can't believe that the W@H boards have been open a year this month. You'll have to stop by and check out the festivities. Maybe I can make some new friends!
Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is silver, and the other gold.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 12:42 PM | Comments (1)
April 21, 2009
must read
(Originally published by Nattie on September 10, 2005)
while blog trolling this am, I came across this must read entry—
my well kept secret and testimony of being an unyoked wife.
It totally spoke to me having been yoked to an unbeliever myself.
I hope Jamie doesn't mind me linking her, but I think this will minister to others as well. Thank you for sharing your story, Jamie.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
(NOTE: This appears to be another broken ink but I am posting it in hope that someone can send an updated location. Thanks!—ND)
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2009
life turns, life rolls
(Originally published by Nattie on September 08, 2005)
Life turns and it rolls and sometimes I find myself hard pressed to roll with the punches. Thus why I've not been blogging much lately.
There have been good thing and not so good things going on, blessings and growth opportunities.
Here is a bulleted list of both over the past month or so...
* my 7 yo started 1st grade
* I did not get the library job
* my 5 yo started preschool
* my pastor came up to me and said, "I heard you have a large phone bill you can't pay. We'd like to pay it for you."
* my 7 yo is hurt and confused
* my 5 yo has developed a whopping attitude fitting a 15 yo at least
* a 31 yo I know has a constant headache
* people calling up saying we have money for you half an hour after I pray for God to provide
* church members buying shoes for my children
* another church member showering my 5 yo with the 4 prs of shoes in the EXACT size she wears without knowing the size, just knowing the need
* two children who miss their absent dad and haven't spent a weekend with him in over a month because he is working seven days a week
* a 31 yo who is clinging to God as her husband, her provider, her best friend and in so many ways feels more fulfilled in the midst of the chaos than she has ever felt before
* 40 days of prayer and fasting at my church
and that just skims the surface my friends.
But you must remember these words that I've been taking comfort in -
"Cause that's just how it goes
How life turns...how it rolls
Through the fire and through the pain
It may hurt...it may bruise
It may leave you confused
But you will be okay
Cause His kind of love is a love
That won't walk away"
~ from "A Love That Won't Walk Away" by Jess Cates and Ty Lacy
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:53 AM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2009
a promise of peace
(Originally published by Nattie on September 01, 2005)
"Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
~ Isaiah 54:10
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:49 AM | Comments (0)
April 17, 2009
Praying for Hurricane Katrina victims
(Originally published by Nattie on August 30, 2005)
Where can I go from your Spirit?I can't even imagine how dark and horrible it seems right now, but God is with you and he wants to see you through. I am praying for all the victims and that you can feel God's presence with you in the depths right now.
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
~ Psalm 139:7-10
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:48 AM | Comments (0)
April 16, 2009
Friday Felicities 8/26
(Originally published by Nattie on August 26, 2005)
1. blogging my felicities on my blog again
2. the grace of God which passes all understanding
3. heating pads
4. ibuprofen
5. free multigrain bagels
6. friends who are answers to selfish little prayers
7. silly jokes that make you laugh so hard your belly hurts
8. Blue Collar Comedy
9. Sara Groves
10. a home church that has embraced me and cared for me like family
11. a five-year-old who loves learning so much that she begs for "homework" like her bubby
12. a seven-year-old who loves to pray
13. a warm bed
14. a roof over my head
15. dirty dishes in my sink (only because it means that we are well fed)
16. that i've lost 40 lbs since March
17. books!
18. diet coke
19. 3 musketeer bars
20. mint foot lotion
21. bath beads
22. home pedicures
23. David Crowder Band
24. hot water
25. hanes socks
26. the sound of cicadas on a summer evening
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 15, 2009
bells and whistles
(Originally published by Nattie on August 25, 2005)
this new blog has all kinds of new bells and whistles and I haven't quite figured them all out yet. Thus why I haven't added any links yet. Heh.
I have to keep emailing my dad. How do I do this? How do I do that? I'll get there. Then hopefully the words will start rolling again. Until then...bear with me.
I'm really stoked about one bell. Spam. It is persona non grata. I can delete it before it ever gets all up in my grill. Excuse my mixed metaphors and slang. I think I need more sleep or more caffeine or both. Tru dat.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 14, 2009
My blog is back!!!!
(Originally published by Nattie on August 23, 2005)
I lost everything in a server crash or something like that. Two years of blog entries. Gone in the blink of an eye. All my pictures that I had saved online got wiped out too.
I mourned. I put on sackcloth. I wailed a little. Okay, I wailed a lot. I contemplated never writing ever again. Then when my dad said my blog was back I felt my heart skip a beat.
I love my little piece of cyberspace. I love what it brings out in me creatively that paper and pencil does not. I still have my paper journal, but this little blog is...another piece of me. And I felt bare without it.
Now to add all my links and stuff again. Today is a new day. With no mistakes in it. Yet. *wink, wink*
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:25 PM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2009
The list is out
(Originally published by Nattie on August 6, 2004)
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
2. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
3. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
4. The Hobbit by Tolkein
5. The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg
6. The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldridge
7. The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
8. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
9. The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
10. Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
11. The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
12. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
13. Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
14. Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton
15. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
16. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
17. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
18. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
19. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
20. Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand
21. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
22. Knowing God by J.I. Packer
23. Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
24. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
25. The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
26. Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis
27. A Hunger for God by John Piper
28. What's So Amazing About Grace? by Phillip Yancey
29. Jesus, The One and Only by Beth Moore
30. A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elizabeth Elliott
31. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
32. On Writing by Stephen King
33. The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles
34. The Inner Voice of Love by Henri J. M. Nouwen
35. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
36. Sophie's Choice by William Styron
37. Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
38. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
39. Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler
40. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
41. Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
42. The Outlander by Diane Gabaldon
43. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
44. The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingslover
45. Ben Hur by Lew Wallace
46. The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame
47. Beloved by Toni Morrison
48. Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
49. A Passage to India by E. M. Forster
50. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
51. The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
52. The Diary of Anne Frank
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:46 AM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2009
I am...
(Originally published by Nattie on August 5, 2004)
~ I am not feeling very bloggy lately.
~ I am having fun playing with my camera and PSP though. :-)
~ I am counting down till my vacation. Only six more days.
~ I am not looking forward to traveling alone with two children, but I'll manage.
~ I am looking forward to meeting Jojo, spending time with my momma and seeing Mel for the first time in two years.
~ I am not looking forward to packing. My suitcase broke on our trip back from Florida. So packing is going to be interesting.
~ I am thinking about eliminating my book blog and just moving the posts over here. I'm trying to streamline things for back to school and back to *sob* work.
~ I am trying to figure out what books to bring for vacation reading. I need to travel light, but I go through reading material so fast! Hmmm....
~ I am not enjoying listening to my kids fight constantly.
~ I am going to stop this boring entry.
BTW, in answer to the questions of why I didn't let them bury me... Well, I have a strange adversion to being smothered. Plain and simple. :-)
Update (6:21pm): I deleted my book blog. No one had commented since May so now I'll just babble about books on this blog instead. It will be harder to ignore me then. ;-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM
April 09, 2009
a brief review of my day
(Originally published by Nattie on August 5, 2004)
More Insomnia
Migraine
Poptart breakfast
Shots
McDonald's Playland
Email
Good snail mail
Laundry
Dishes
Decluttering
Trying to take a good self-portrait—HA!
Reading
Relaxing
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 08, 2009
Odds and Ends
(Originally published by Nattie on August 3, 2004)
I'm still fighting insomnia plus trying to go off my anti-depressants so don't expect any blog masterpieces.
So instead I'll just share another chronicle in the life of my children:
See a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor
Jonathan: *points to pile* "Sissy under there."
Mommy: *walks away shaking head thinking...apparently since we don't have any sand in our living room they are deciding to bury each other with what we have on hand*
A few minutes later see another pile...
Anna: "Bubby under there"
Mommy: "Just don't get any bright ideas to bury mommy that way."
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)
April 07, 2009
Survived...
(Originally published by Nattie on July 22, 2004)
the physical. Didn't get the shots today. I'm having insomnia again plus the kids were up and down all night so I was just not capable of shots and a physical in one day. Hubby is going with me Thursday for bubby's shots. He's not looking forward to them.
He didn't do too hot on the eye exam part so I've made another appointment with the optometrist. Will it never end?
Oh and the kids are grounded. Hubby was ultra sweet and let me rest for a bit this morning. The kids were riding their bikes outside. They decided that despite all rules and warnings to the contrary that it would be a good idea to ride their bikes on the road vs the sidewalk. *sigh*
Jonathan told me, "Ryan made me do it." Ryan is his friend. *shakes head*
I so wanted to say..."If Ryan jumped off a cliff would you?" but then I'd sound like a parent or something. So no bikes. No scooters. No computer games. If they are lucky they will get to watch tv. If they are lucky!
I didn't get a picture this time, but I'm sure you can imagine it.
Setting the Stage: Anna borrows my car keys and starts swinging them back and forth in front of Jonathan.
Anna: "You are getting sweepy. Vewy vewy sweepy."
Jonathan: "No, I'm not."
Mommy: *head hits the keyboard* "zzzzzzzzzzz"
Okay, so I added the last part, but the first two things did happen. :-)
Oh and Anna is talking to her invisible friend now...Mr. Huggiekins. LOL KIds!
They make you cry in frustration one minute and laugh with joy the next.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 06, 2009
Scattered thoughts
(Originally published by Nattie on July 23, 2004)
While on my little blog "vacation," I read a really good book—Do You Think I'm Beautiful? by Angela Thomas.
There was one part that really struck me and I copied down in my journal...
We must realize that there will never be healthy love between a woman and a man until she comes to rest and find her being in the great love of God. God's love gives wisdom in discerning the man. God's love lets us smile at the mans quirks, just as God smiles at ours.
I know at some point in my marriage I had to realize that it would never be perfect. I also had to realize that even when/if hubby becomes a Christian he still won't get his socks into the dirty clothes hamper.
Here is another excerpt from the book...
A good man can be wonderful. But he can never be enough, and he can never make you whole. You and I were made for even more. We were made for God.
That is another issue I've been dealing with. To stop looking to hubby to fulfill all my needs and to look to God. I'm also reading two other good marriage books:
~ Beyond Expectations:Finding Joy In Your Marriage by Nancy Sebastian Meyer
~ Because I Said Forever:Embracing Hope in the Imperfect Marriage by Heather Kopp, Debbie Kalmbach
Another big deal for me was not blaming all our problems on my hubby. Can you believe that? I'm not perfect. LOL And for all his imperfections I still love my hubby dearly. I keep a list of things he does that remind me of why I love that man. Here is a sample of that list:
~ He painted Anna's fingernails for her when I was rushing around to get ready for a wedding.
~ He helped me fix my toenail polish when I was rushing to get ready for the same wedding.
~ He has pillow fights with the kids.
~ He has "man to man" talks with Jonathan.
~ He only grumbles mildly when our house starts to look more like a public library than a home.
Quote of the Day...
The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness. ~ Therese of Lisieux
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2009
No news is good news
(Originally published by Nattie on July 20, 2004)
No news is good news, right? Anna did fine during the ultrasound, but the tech didn't tell us anything. Once the radiologist reads it, he'll contact my doctor. Who will call us. I'm assuming if it is really bad we'll hear right away. Otherwise it could be days. No matter what I'm resting on the fact that God will make a way.
Not much to blog about today. I am getting some last-minute things together for the kids' birthday party tomorrow. We are having a pool party and, if everyone comes who was invited, we'll have 30 people—20 adults, 10 children under the age of six. Why is my family so prolific?!
Then there is the blogathon party online. I decided not to blog this year. My online life has been too crazy, but I am supporting three wonderful gals. The links to their blogs and charities are in my left hand column under project blog. Check it out.
Here is a silly quiz:
| Your Icecream Flavor is...Neopolitan! |
 You aren't satisfied with just one flavor. They say variety is the spice of life and this shines through in your Ice cream of choice! Just don't eat all the chocolate and leave the strawberry and vanilla behind! |
Find out at Go Quiz
Quote of the Day...
The three grand essentials of happiness are:
something to do,
something to love,
and something to hope for. ~ Thomas Chalmers
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2009
Insomnia
(Originally published by Nattie on July 19, 2004)
Yeah...another withdrawal symptom rises to the forefront...insomnia?! I tossed and turned for two hours last night before I gave up. I got dressed and decided to go for a drive.
The night air was cooler than usual so I rolled down the windows and cranked up this CD. Not exactly lullaby music, but it suited my mood.
I probably looked a little silly singing "All That Jazz" at the top of my lungs in the middle of the night. Oh well! Ce la vie.
The car drove itselft to Walmart. I swear. I have been puzzling over reorganizing a cluttered area and decided to browse their totes and baskets and such. I picked out about half a dozen baskets and a new lamp. I tried reading in bed last night and my wonky lamp kept shutting off. I decided it was time to pitch it and start over. It is an old lamp anyway and has served its purpose here on earth. I came back home and it wouldn't do to wait till morning to reorganize. So I stayed up till 2 a.m. moving furniture and reorganizing.
Then I got back up this morning and moved more furniture. Poor hubby and kids. The minute they get used to the way things are I change them. This is all hubby's fault anyway. He got me a new computer chair.
I've been using an old armchair held together with duct tape and bolstered with extra pillows. This new chair is nice. I can recline. I can spin around. I can raise it so high my toes barely touch the floor. So the living room looked frumpy with this new chair. So insane Nattie has moved furniture three different times in only 24 hours.
Here's the quote of the day...
It is always wise to stop wishing for things long enough to enjoy the fragrance of those now flowering. ~ Patrice Gifford
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2009
Short and Sweet
(Originally published by Nattie on July 17, 2004)
This is going to be short and sweet. I'm not feeling very good. I'm trying to cut down on my antidepressants and eventually stop taking them. This first day is hard. Very hard.
We had a little party for Annadoll. The "big" party is next weekend so we just went out as a family to Chuck E. Cheese. I normally don't like places like that, but I forgot about Skee Ball. I love Skee Ball. :-)
Have a blessed day. Don't forget to say a prayer for Annadoll's ultrasound Thursday and if you have any prayers left over prayer for my medication situation.
TTFN,
Nattie
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 24, 2009
I think...
(Originally published by Nattie on July 16, 2004)
she is feeling better. What do you think?
Yesterday was the first day I didn't have to pump her with fever reducer and today she is a talkative little buddle of energy. Please continue to pray that her ultrasound is okay next week.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 23, 2009
Just throwing this blog together
(Originally published by Nattie on July 13, 2004)
My baby girl is sick. I don't like that. Say a prayer. The doctor is a tad concerned. She has a uti, but he is concerned about her fever thinking it may mean a kidney infection rather than a bladder infection which is pretty serious for a little one. She is on antibiotics and is to have a renal ultrasound after the round of antibiotics.
That's all for now. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:07 AM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2009
Sharing more quotes...
(Originally published by Nattie on August 6, 2004)
To know someone here or there with whom you fell htere is an understanding in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed—that can make of this earth a garden. ~ Goethe
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2009
June Reads
(Originally published by Nattie on August 6, 2004)
A New Leaf by Thomas Kinkade
The Color of Your Skin Ain't The Color of Your Heart by Michael Phillips
The Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis
The Body In The Kelp by Katherine Hall Page
The Bookman's Promise by John Dunning
Death at Rottingdean by Robin Paige
Mums the Word by Dorothy Cannell
Legacy of Love by Joanna Trollope
Broken Dishes by Earlene Fowler
Death at Whitechapel by Robin Paige
Death at Epsom Downs by Robin Paige
Death at Dartmoor by Robin Paige
Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige
Death in Hyde Park by Robin Paige
Rose Cottage by Mary Stewart
Evan Only Knows by Rhys Bowen
Together Is All We Need by Michael Phillips
The Dancing Floor by Barbara Michaels
Do You Think I'm Beautiful by Angela Thomas
The Body In the Boullion by Katherine Hall Page
The Body in the Vestibule by Katherine Hall Page
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)
March 18, 2009
May Reads
(Originally published by Nattie on July 12, 2004)
~ The Body In The Big Apple by Katherine Hall Page
~ Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
~ Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
~ Cutwork by Monica Ferris
~ Even and Elle by Rhys Bowen
~ A Case of Crooked Letters by Lori Copeland
~ Death at Gallows Green by Robin Paige
~ Widows Club by Dorothy Cannell
~ Mrs Jeffries Takes Stock by Emily Brightwell
~ The Body In the Belfry by Katherine Hall Page
~ Evan Can Wait by Rhys Bowen
~ The Bookman's Wake by John Dunning
~ Death at Daisy's Folly by Robin Paige
~ The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett
~ Legacy Lane by Robin Lee Hatcher
~ Evans To Betsy by Rhys Bowen
~ Death at Devil's Bridge by Robin Paige
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2009
I still
(Originally published by Nattie on July 10, 2004)
...have nothing to blog about. La di da di da. I do have a new favorite book store—Half Price Books. I had never been and my mother-in-law took me there last week. Heaven on earth!
I got 10 books for only 30 dollars. Wow! Now that I know how to get there my mother-in-law is going to watch the kids so I can go alone. It is kind of hard to be in "heaven" when the kids are asking..."Are you done yet?"
What books did I get? Glad you asked...
If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland
Them Bones by Carolyn Haines
Death of a Postmodernist by Janice Steinberg
Goose In a Pond by Earlene Fowler
Crewel World by Monica Ferris
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
Wild Mountain Thyme by Rosamunde Pilcher
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Marrying the Mistress by Joanna Trollope
Now to find time to read again.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 07:51 AM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2009
Flower Girl
(Originally published by Nattie on July 9, 2004)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:15 AM | Comments (2)
March 14, 2009
when we dream...
(Originally published by Nattie on July 7, 2004)
When we dream alone it remains only a dream. When we dream together, it is not just a dream. It is the beginning of reality. ~ Dom Helder Camara
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:28 AM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2009
I've got nothing blogworthy
(Originally published by Nattie on July 6, 2004)
But in case you too have ever wondered...SNAFU predates computer chatroom acronyms. It's military shorthand for "Situation Normal, All F'd Up"
That's all for today. Back to your regularly scheduled blogging.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:13 AM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2009
Dial up...
(Originally published by Nattie on July 5, 2004)
sucks...for lack of a better word. It is taking me forever to stay on top of my email so I don't have time to read all the blogs in blogland. The girls have been extra chatty. So I'm counting down the days until I get my DSL back...eight days! Can I make it? It is like being tempted with chocolate on the first day of a new diet? Can I make it?! Will I be able to resist the draw of the blogs and emails?! Maybe if I just read one blog a day...no that won't work. Waaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!! And I haven't finished a book in three days. What is a girl to do?!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 04:02 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2009
Happy Belated 4th of July
(Originally published by Nattie on July 4, 2004)
This weekend has been crazy busy. Hubby had a rare three-day weekend so my normal "schedule" is all off kilter too. He is back to work tomorrow so I hope I can get caught up on emails and blogs then. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are thankful for the freedoms this crazy country provides.
"God bless you and utterly satisfy your heart...with Himself." ~ Amy Carmichael
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2009
Soul mates
(Originally published by Nattie on July 2, 2004)
I'm not gaga over Orlando like some people I know. I do think he is a handsome man, but apparently we are soul mates. Here is an article someone sent me...
Orlando Bloom was nearly killed a few years ago when he fell three floors from a friend's apartment and broke his back. Doctors were not sure Orlando Bloom would ever walk again, but 12 days after an operation, he walked out of the hospital on crutches. Since then, Orlando Bloom broke a rib falling off a horse on the "The Lord of the Rings" set. Other injuries Orlando Bloom has incurred include breaking his nose, breaking both his legs, an arm, a wrist, a finger, a toe and cracking his skull three times.
I read this article to my hubby and he said..."So he is a klutz. Just think you guys could fall together."
Jojo says...."Who knew there was someone out there as klutzy as you are."
Yup. I'm a klutz. I embrace my klutziness. Other people have battle scars, I have klutz scars. I won't list my injuries because it would probably surpass Orlando's and I don't want him to get jealous, but he must know that he has competition in the klutz department. I passed on my klutz gene to my children too. Of course, hubby shouldn't talk. He broke his elbow a few years ago tripping over a baby gate.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:50 AM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2009
Oh Dear...
(Originally published by Nattie on July 1, 2004)
I'm back to blogging and I have nothing to say. Should I blog about...
~ my car being in the shop?
~ Or maybe I should blog about the laundry I folded today?
~ Or maybe I should blog about how my exercise bike makes my tushy fall asleep?
~ Or about how messy my children are?
~ Or about how glad I am to be getting email again?
~ Or about how very very tiny I feel some days (not physically of course) just in the scheme of things?
~ Or about how I am Alice in Wonderland who has eaten the wrong muffin and keep getting bigger and bigger instead of smaller and smaller?
~ Or about my limited graphics program that is giving me fits when I try to make a new banner for my blog?
Well, nothing strikes my fancy so I'll just go and read your blogs. They best be about something more interesting than mine. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2009
I'm having a surreal moment
(Originally published by Nattie on June 21, 2004)
I'm sitting at my computer and blogging for the first time in ages. Is this real? Am I dreaming?
Life has been crazy. We finally unsnarled a huge snaffoo (how do you spell that?) with our phone company. We hadn't been billed for 3ish months and they disconnected us. Hello?! If you don't bill me, I don't pay you. I wasn't thinking about it. So I've been in the land of the pioneers—no phone, no Internet. Well, that may be a bit extreme...we still had a tv and a cell phone, but I had to *gasp* drive all the way to the library...a whole two miles (uphill both ways) and sit in a hard chair and check my email. Oh, the horror!!!
It actually has been a nice quiet time, a learning time, a growing time, and of course, a reading time.
I've read more than 20 books in that time (I'll list the titles later). I've spent lots of time reading to the kids (at least 30 books for the summer reading program with the library. I've gone swimming. I've exercised. I've spent some contemplative moments. I've spent time at the doctor's office for all of us and have to go back again for my littlest one. I've done VBS (Vacation Bible School for you church virgins *;-)* ).
I also have a broken stove, a bird's nest in my dryer vent, a daughter who is allergic to mosquito bites, a son who doesn't tell me when his ear hurts and thus has an ear infection, a neighbor who thought it would be a good idea to leave a baseball on the sidewalk for me to trip over and a car that won't start.
But it has also been a season of blessings. Our refrigerator is full of fresh fruit. I have a minor...okay, major handle on cleaning my house (my husband is shocked!). I've started some new Bible studies. God has confirmed soooo many things in my life. The list goes on.
So I'm back! Do a happy dance.
I know I will...once the surrealness wears off. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:18 AM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2009
The continuing saga
(Originally published by Nattie on June 5, 2004)
I don't even have the energy to go into the continuing saga of my life right now. But it all leads to be still not being back online. I've probably lost all my readers, but life is just really crazy right now.
I will say that we seemed to make it alive through my first year helping at Vacation Bible School. I have read 12 books this month. I am sunburnt. I have a sinus infection. My son has an ear infection. My daughter appears to be allergic to bug bites and we are going on vacation to California sometime this summer. So it isn't all bad, just hectic. I hope to be back blogging full force soon.
TTFN,
Nuttie Nattie
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:18 AM | Comments (0)
March 04, 2009
TGIF
(Originally published by Nattie on June 3, 2004)
Still.
Coughing.
Makes me Cranky.
Must make my children cranky too.
Got a new book at the library today.
Off to vacuum and spray my own ants.
Happy Friday.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:09 AM | Comments (1)
March 03, 2009
I've discovered
(Originally published by Nattie on June 3, 2004)
...another Victorian mystery series. I've really enjoyed them. The "author" is Robin Paige which is actually a pseudonym for a husband and wife team. You may have heard of Susan Wittig Albert. She writes the China Bayles mystery series. She and her husband Bill write the Victorian series.
The first book is Death at Bishop's Keep. The heroine of the series is Kate Ardleigh, an independent American woman who receives an irresistable offer to come to England to be the secretary of a long lost relative. Once at Bishop's Keep she realized that there is a lot she doesn't know. She meets up with Sir Charles Sheridan who is a scientist of sorts and they try to solve the mystery of an murder on a local archeological site.
A well written "cozy" mystery.
I recommend reading the series in order because a lot of the further books pivot on this first book and how Kate gets established in England.
I have also read the next two books in the series and am working on the third. I'll try to review them also.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2009
Soothing the Savage Beast
(Originally published by Nattie on June 2, 2004)
...or How to Survive When It Is That Time Of the Month...
Of course THAT time of the month can be ANY time of the month. Really! You know what I mean. I just happened to have "The Nanny" on last night when I was doing dishes. It is the only time I watch the show. It happens to be on when I'm fixing dinner and I'd rather listen to it than the news. It isn't my favorite show, but it distracts me from the mundane dishes and dinner preperations. Last night Fran was explaining to the youngest girl about hormones and periods. She said something like...
"You'll have those feelings at that time of the month...and before that time of the month...AND after that time of the month."
Isn't that true though? God made us marvelously complex and hormonal women. I'm embracing that. But how can my family survive that?! Firstly you have to give yourself permission to be hormonal. You are not weak because your body is acting as God created it. Now, I didn't say you have permission to be a screaming banshee 24/7 and 365. Instead have a plan of attack.
Sometimes I know before my feet hit the floor in the morning that I'm not going to handle things with equinimity. For those days I have a plan. What is that plan? Nothing! I declare it a do nothing day. No trips to the grocery store where the kids will get on my last nerve. No trips to the library where the kids will get on my last nerve. Meals will be simple. Clothing is optional. Okay, I exaggerate, but I do give myself permission to wear my robe and fuzzy slippers if it makes me feel better. The kids and I will cuddle on the couch and watch a movie. I don't worry about the dust bunnies or the laundry. Then there are the days when everything goes wrong. Your daughter drops her cereal bowl breaking a 30-year-old Correll dish into a million pieces. Your son clogs the toilet. Your husband can't find his socks. And it is all your fault. You clean up the bowl after making sure your daughter doesn't have any scraps from flying Correll. You plug your nose & unclog the toilet. You find your husband's socks and only huff a little bit. Then you burn dinner because you had to seperate two screaming children from a fight over a two-inch plastic toy. You lose it. Your head turns around on your body and your eyes roll back in your head. Smoke comes out your ears and you sprout a dragon tail. Maybe, that is a little extreme, but you know what I mean. That is the time when while the kids are in time out...mom gets a time out too.
When I'm in time out I sometimes pound my pillow, cry, pray, dance or sing. Whatever works for you. I usually just need to distance myself from the chaos and pray for peace, even if it is only internal. Or there are days like yesterday. I have this icky cold thingy. My throat is raspy. I feel like I'm going to cough up a lung. I take it easy and stick close to home. No errands. Simple meals. I do dishes and laundry, but don't stress about the other stuff. Then when the kids are in bed...it is my time. I wash my hair and put a deep conditioner on. I wrap my head in a towel. Then I slather an oatmeal mask on my face. I run a hot bath and pop some music on. I light a candle. I get something to drink and I find my book. Ahhh......Calgon take me away. Okay, it doesn't really take me away, but it soothes me and my savage beast.
There was a time when I was the last one on my list of people to take care of. Until the day I realized that in order to better take care of my family, I needed to take care of myself, too. Other ideas to soothe that savage beast:
* Take a walk. A long one if possible.
* Tae-Bo. I don't know why, but I always feel better after kicking and punching so much I could drop.
* Play music - loudly. I get my kids into the action too and we start dancing around. Sometimes it is to Pink and sometimes it is Audio Adreneline. Whatever gets you dancing.
If all else fails...find someone else to take the kids and give yourself a day long time out.
So your homework today is to have a plan for those days. Let me know what you come up with.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
February 28, 2009
Or a Radioactive squirrel?!
(Originally published by Nattie on June 1, 2004)
| LOOK OUT! O |
| nattierosewrites is a radioactive squirrel!! |
From Go-Quiz.com
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
February 27, 2009
Noisy or Neglected?
(Originally published by Nattie on June 1, 2004)
| N | Noisy |
| A | Ambivalent |
| T | Trustworthy |
| T | Talented |
| I | Intense |
| E | Easy |
Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com
| N | Neglected |
| A | Astounding |
| T | Terrific |
| A | Appealing |
| L | Loving |
| I | Insane |
| E | Enjoyable |
Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 07:48 AM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2009
Yucky
(Originally published by Nattie on June 1, 2004)
I've got some kind of cold/sinus infection thingy. So don't expect any exciting blogs for a few days. Unless of course the Dayquil sets in and I start sharing things like I did last time I had a cold. That was embarrassing.
Instead I'll share something that Melissa had on her blog—The Dialectizer.
English = The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.—Romans 10:12 NIVRedneck = Th' same Lo'd is Lo'd of all an' richly blesses all who call on him, dawgone it.
Fudd = De same Wowd is Wowd of aww and wichwy bwesses aww who caww on him.
Well, it made me laugh.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:02 AM | Comments (0)
February 25, 2009
The Storm Calmer
(Originally published by Nattie on May 29, 2004)
One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." ~ Luke 8:22-25
God is the same yesterday, today and forever so why can't he calm a storm today?
I have been thinking about this concept the past few days. We've had some severe storms blow through our area. I hate storms. My five-year-old son doesn't like them either. Sitting in our little safe room during one of the storms he looks at me with all innocence and child like faith and says, "I want Jesus to blow storms away."
I told him to pray. Then we sang "Jesus Love Me" together.
The mom in me doesn't want to see his hopes dashed. The adult in me knows that sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers the way we would like him to. But what about the child of God in me? Shouldn't the child of God have faith?
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. ~ 1 John 5:14-15
I just have to believe that he will answer our prayers, even the prayers of a little child—prayers prayed in faith.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I can't ponder why the roof of a nursing home was ripped off miles away, but our house was spared any damage. Wondering about those things will only lead to doubt and further worry. That is what the devil wants. Instead I will believe in the Storm Calmer.
Where is your faith?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
February 24, 2009
Vacation
(Originally published by Nattie on May 28, 2004)
It is Memorial Day weekend here in Small Town, USA. We aren't going anywhere, but we do have a birthday party today. And, of course, there will be Indy 500 festivities tomorrow... So I think I'm going to take a blog vacation. Don't kill me, Dana. It is just a three-day vacation. I'll be back on Tuesday.
Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy your friends and family. Be thankful for our freedom and the men who fought for it.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2009
100 Things about me, continued
(Originally published by Nattie on May 26, 2004)
To read 1-4, click here.
And I'll continue on #5...
5. I loathe storms. I don't mind the thunder, but I live in constant fear of lightning strikes and tornadoes. I can't be in a storm without jumping at every flash of lightning and don't even say the words "tornado warning" around me unless you want to see a pile of goo at your feet. I would be the goo. Seriously though, I think I do pretty well with the kids. I pretend to not be afraid. We sit and sing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of our lungs although they may sense something is wrong when my eyes won't leave the Weather Channel and I chew my nails. But I do like a light spring storm with no hail or severe ickiness. I even listen to a "Summer Storm" tape on occasion, but that is a tape. It isn't the real live rolling thunder and crashing lightning.
6. I love spring. Spring makes me feel alive. I love watching the budding trees and flowers. I love the lush greeness of the grass. I love the cool breezes that blow through open windows. Achoo! Of course, it makes me sneeze. But I love it anyway.
7. I don't like reality tv. I have enough reality in my life. I don't need any more. The only reality tv I watch is "American Idol" and that is more of a talent show. It isn't 12 people singing on an island and then voting each other off. It isn't 12 people living in a house together, singing and voting each other out of the house. It isn't 12 people dating each other, singing and then voting someone out because they aren't a good kisser. Okay, maybe they do live together, but they don't show much of that and they may date each other but they don't show that either. They do show them singing— A LOT! And of course you get to hear the pithy, witty and cruel criticisms of Simon Cowell. *rolls eyes* I enjoy the music. I'm a singing wannabe. I don't have a good voice. I do have a good ear, but that doesn't keep me from singing in tune. I do sing well in a choir. I like to blend and harmonize, but solo singing leaves me "pitchy" as Paula, Randy and Simon would say. I like a lot of different styles of music—country, opera, pop. I even occassionally like a rap song or a heavy metal song. Occassionally.
Enough about me for now...
100 Things About Nattie To Be Continued—again.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2009
She did it!
(Originally published by Nattie on May 27, 2004)
That is all I'm going to say in case you haven't seen the show yet. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:09 AM | Comments (0)
February 20, 2009
"Potato" warnings
(Originally published by Nattie on May 27, 2004)
...all around, and thunderstorm warnings. Don't like it one bit. Just thought I'd let you know that. Maybe we can mark that as #5 on the things about me list.
5. Nattie loathes storms!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2009
I...am...very...zzzzzzzzzz
(Originally published by Nattie on May 26, 2004)
Sorry for nodding off. I only got 4-1/2 hours of sleep last night and it hasn't affected me adversely till now. I just had dinner and...I...feel...very...very..............................oops, head hit the keyboard.
I intended to blog tonight possibly on my "100 Things About Me" list, but you know what? I'm TIRED! So I'm giving my kids a bath and if I don't fall asleep while reading to them I will then watch "American Idol." If I have to I will stick toothpicks under my eyelids. Then I'm breaking the toothpicks and drifting off to la-la land.
See...you....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
February 18, 2009
One more thing
(Originally published by Nattie on May 25, 2004)
FANTASIA RAWKS!
I want an "I voted for Fantasia" T-shirt.
Her version of "Summertime" gave me goosebumps and I bawled when she sang "I Believe" by Tamyra Grey.
Go vote! Don't let her get away.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:17 AM | Comments (0)
February 17, 2009
THIS is the way to do it
(Originally published by Nattie on May 24, 2004)
I like the concept behind this makeover show—"Flab to Fab" on Vh1.
Here is the show's description from their website...
Rock stars always look like a million bucks. What overweight fan hasn't dreamed of having the rock-hard, perfect body of their idol? Of course, celebrities have something that their fans don't—a small army of personal trainers, nutritionists and stylists demanding one more sit-up, counting every calorie and picking out the perfect outfits to show it all off. Could you look like a rock goddess too if you had these resources at your beck and call?
In each episode of "Flab To Fab," host AJ Johnson, along with a team of nutrionists, trainers and stylists, leads our groups of women on a workout and diet program modeled after their favorite rock celebrity. To succeed, the women must stay with the program for 90 days. In those 90 days, we'll witness their struggles and triumphs, and find out if these real women have the sheer will-power to become rock star ripped.
I like how they recognize that the average woman doesn't have a slew of personal trainers, nutritionists, etc. And that they give them the tools to try to get that body. They work them out hard, but it is all you. They take what they have been given physically and then try to shape it.
Maybe I should send my picture in? What star would I want to look like though? :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:16 AM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2009
100 Things about Me
100 Things about Me
(Originally published by Nattie on May 22, 2004)
I know I did a 100 things about me entry at one time, but I think it was on Xanga and is now saved on a disk somewhere in this black hole called my desk. So I'm going to try it again (and make it a bit more interesting if that is possible). But I'm going to break it into blocks like Tiff and Heather did.
So here goes...100 Things About Natalie ~ part 1 of ?....
1. I tend to be obsessive compulsive. Like I want to do a catalog of the books I own to keep on my computer. But I'm afraid to start the list because I know I'll then want to alphabatize ALL my books. Then I'll want to alphabatize AND sort by genre. Then I'll want to record all their ISBNs. Then I'll want to...well, you get the idea. I have a hard time just doing what I consider half a job. That leads to...
2. I am a recovering perfectionist. It took becoming a parent to realize that I couldn't be perfect at EVERYTHING. But I still suffer from perfectionist guilt occassionally.
3. I LOVE BOOKS! No, I mean I LOVE them. I don't just like books. I don't just want to date books. I want to be married and then buried with my books then I want to be with my books in the afterlife. In fact I believe (okay, I just fervently hope) that heaven is a library. I like to smell books. I like to feel the weight of the book in my hand. I would use a book as a pillow if I could, but they aren't comfortable to sleep on, but I do tend to have one under my pillow, on the headboard, on my nightstand, under the nightstand...can you sense my obsessive nature in this madness? It is like a slow torturous death to part with a book. I'll do it, but I have to go to BAA meetings. BAA is Book Aholics Anonymous. I am the founder and most frequent attendee of this group.
4. Tigger is my favorite Pooh character. I want to be Tigger. I want to have bouncy, trouncy fun. I want to be orange with black stripes, but by nature I am much more of an Eeyore. I think I choose Tigger as my favorite because I like cats and I want to emulate that...Tiggerness...that spirit of fun (and mayhem) rather than the No Matterness of Eeyore and his house of thistles.
Well, the kids are begging to go outside and since it isn't raining for the first time in what seems like years, I'll go with them.
100 Fascinating Things About Nattie to be continued...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
February 14, 2009
It is MAY for goodness sake...
(Originally published by Nattie on May 21, 2004)
NOT August!!!
It is to be 87 degrees today with 70% humidity. The hottest day of the year so far. In May?! Did you know that 87 degrees with that much humidity feels like over 90? It feels like walking into a sauna. It may be good for the pores, but it makes me cranky. ;-) I don't mind heat, but I'm a wuss about humidity. I think I need to move.
So more pop up storms are expected.
In other news...
* Heather is home from the hospital. I have pictures, but I don't know if I should let her share first. I will say this...he is one darling little baby. Makes me want to pinch cheeks and talk baby talk.
* You have to read A Eulogy for A Truck. I laughed. I cried. Words cannot express...
* Still praying for Leann. Check out the blinkie in my side column that Becky made. She is the Blinkie Queen.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
(Daddy's Note: As usual, I apologize for the broken links. If you can update any of them, please leave a comment and I will fix them. Thanks! (((((Y'all!))))))
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2009
Still muggy...
(Originally published by Nattie on May 20, 2004)
Still horribly muggy. We didn't end up with the pop up storms until yesterday evening, but we are expecting more of the same today. It feels like summer already.
On to more important news...
Please keep Leann (My Soul Sis) in your prayers. She is 33 weeks pregant and on full bedrest. She has had complications all along this pregnancy and has been on medication to keep her from going into labor. Now she has pre-eclampsia. Please pray for good health for her and the baby. Plus she is a stay-at-home mom with three older children to care for so the care of the kids is falling on her husband who isn't yet out of school for the summer. So much to pray for...
Then there is some good news...
Heather should be home from the hospital today with Baby David. I'll post pics as soon as I can.
And an update:
* Found a good article on Today's Christian Woman—"Are You A Journaling Drop-Out?"
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:20 AM | Comments (0)
February 12, 2009
Stormy
(Originally published by Nattie on May 19, 2004)
Hot ~ Humid ~ Pop up Severe Storms Hail ~ Rain ~ Thunder Lightning ~ Storm Watch
Hopefully no dreaded potatoes (that is tornado in Jonathan-ese)
So I won't be online much.
Be Blessed,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
February 11, 2009
Something that bears repeating
(Originally published by Nattie on May 19, 2004)
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."—Galatians 6:7-10
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:51 AM | Comments (0)
February 10, 2009
Welcome to the world...
(Originally published by Nattie on May 19, 2004)
David Truett was born at 12:37 pm to Heather and Corey. He weighted 8 lbs, 13.7 oz, and is 20-1/2 inches long. Mommy is great. Daddy is hungry.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
February 09, 2009
Praying for...
(Originally published by Nattie on May 18, 2004)
Heather today. She went to the hospital at 5am to be induced. Now I am waiting on pins and needles for that baby to pop out.
Maybe a good cheer will get her going...
Push it out!
Shove it out!
Way out!
Cheer with me, or if you are denying your inner cheerleader, then just pray. ;-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
February 07, 2009
Got nuttin' to blog about...
(Originally published by Nattie on May 17, 2004)
so I'll just share this little tidbit I came across today...
Thank God! a man can grow!
He is not bound
With earthward gaze to creep along the ground;
Though his beginnings be but poor and low,
Thank God a man can grow
~ Author Unknown
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2009
Writing in stone
(Originally published by Nattie on May 17, 2004)
I've been driving by this wayside pulpit (you know those signs often in front of churches with the snazzy sayings on them) for the past few days. It made me stop and think. I've seen this saying before, but it bears repeating...
Write your sorrows in sand and write your blessings in stone.
What sorrows do you need to let the wind blow away and what blessings do you need to etch in stone so when those sorrows creep up you can feel the groove of the lettering under your fingertips?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (3)
February 05, 2009
Monday Morning Musings
Monday Morning Musings
(Originally published by Nattie on May 15, 2004)
- I've found a quote that I'm going to frame and put on my front door...
Sometimes the house is clean.
Sometimes it isn't.
If you're coming to see us, come without warning.
If you're coming to see the house, call ahead.
- I'm spending the afternoon at the park. I had to bribe my kids to stay in their room last night. The reward = the park. I'm putting together a reward chart and they will get a trip to the McDonald's playland if they stay in their bed seven nights in a row or something like that. I had to do this. My daughter decided that it was time to roam the house at 12:30 am Saturday night/Sunday morning. I didn't get her settled down until 3:30 am and then she woke up her brother. Aargh!
- I also have a new exercising motto...
"We must! We must! We must decrease our butts!!!" :-)
- Heather still hasn't had her baby. :-( I'm waiting, Heather! Pop him out. ;-)
- My aunt and I decided to memorize the armor of God as part of our accountability. Guess what the sermon was about at church yesterday?
Well, I know there is more I wanted to blog about, but my mind is drawing a blank. I'll be back later if I can remember.
TTFN,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2009
The Little Things
(Originally published by Nattie on May 14, 2004)
I am thankful for...
~ my family
~ a roof over my head
~ a good book to read on a rainy day
~ an endless supply of diet coke
~ My daughter saying..."I wish, I wish for a kiss. On my cheek."
~ My son saying..."I like you, mommy."
~ Warm flannel robes
~ Cute pjs
~ Fuzzy Tigger slippers
~ Good friends
What are you thankful for today?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 31, 2009
100 Things I Love
(Originally published by Nattie on May 13, 2004)
I found this prompt at The Book of Me site and tweaked it a bit to fit me. I hope you enjoy it. It was fun to do.
Activities
1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Cross-stitch
4. Photography
5. Scrapbooking
6. Cuddling with my kids
7. Going to the library
8. Drinking Mocha's at Bixby's, Gaithers' or B&N
9. Browsing bookstores
10. Smelling books
11. Walking in the woods or on the beach
12. Dancing in my livingroom
13. Singing in the car or the shower
14. Puddle jumping (don't tell my kids)
15. Watching old movies and musicals
16. Sunbathing
Things
17. Books
18. Roses
19. Lilacs
20. Daisies
21. Tigger
22. Cows
23. Quilts
24. Journals
25. Pens
26. Paper
27. Mustang convertibles preferrably older models
28. black sunglasses
29. jeans with black T-shirts
30. bookstores with coffeshops
31. white tennis shoes
32. candles
People
33. 
Hubby (he drives me insane most days, but I still love the big lug)
34. 
Jonathan
35. 
Anna
36. Mom
37. Dad
38. Heather
39. Jojo
40. Stacey
41. Skipper
42. Dana
Foods
43. Chinese
44. Italian, especially fettucini alfredo and pizza 45. Mexican
46. Chocolate-covered strawberries
47. French fries with sour cream
48. A big salad with ranch dressing
49. Rootbeer floats
50. In 'n Out cheeseburgers
51. Anything with chocolate and peanut butter
52. just plain ol' chocolate
Places
53. Home
54. Huntington Beach, California
55. The backyard of my grandmother's house on a summer day at twilight
56. Disneyland (-land, not World)
57. My library
58. Church
59. My window seat
Games
60. Solitaire
61. Monopoly
62. Yahtzee
63. Scrabble
Books
64. Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery
65. Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (I think The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my favorite in the series...I think.)
66. The Little House on the Prarie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
67. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
68. Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher
69. Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy
70. Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
71. The Beloved Invader by Eugenia Price
72. The Mitford series by Jan Karon
73.The Benni Harper series by Earlene Fowler
74. The Elm Creek series by Jennifer Chiaverini
75. Lightning by Dean Koontz
76. Watchers by Dean Koontz
77. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
78. Matched Pearls by Grace Livingston Hill
79. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Movies
80. Breakfast at Tiffany's
81. You've Got Mail
82. Roman Holiday
83. Chicago
84. Titanic
85. My Fair Lady
86. Where The Heart Is
Drinks
87. Diet Coke
88. Cherry Coke
89. Jumping Monkey Frappaccino
90. Ice cold water with lemon
91. Strawberry Margaritas (heavy on the tequila and salt)
Animals
92. Cats
Colors
93. Blue
94. Purple
95. Pink
Music Artists and Types of Music
96. Crystal Lewis
97. Sara Groves
98. Dixie Chicks
99. No Doubt
100. Amy Grant
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
January 30, 2009
I'm declaring a couch day...
(Originally published by Nattie on May 12, 2004)
I'm declaring today to be a couch day. It is "that" time of the month and I feel icky. Plus I have two library books due tomorrow so...a couch day it is. We are also expecting possible strong storms due to a cold front pushing this hot humid front out. So I'll be offline. I'll be on my couch.
I did want to say a few other things first...
* I talked to God. Well, I had been talking, but I hadn't been listening. Picture a child with their fingers in their ears saying, "La, la, la, la." That was me. So I guess I should say I pulled my fingers out of my ears and listened. He said he didn't want more. He just wanted me. He has been putting the words surrender and refining in my path a lot lately. Can be painful, but the end result is always good.
*
Live your life with an overwhelming sense that God is present in the details all around you. There will be no boring moments. Life will take on new meaning when you begin to see God in the small stuff.—Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
* Some small stuff...clothes for my son. I realized the other day that he was going to need more clothes. I contemplated a trip to Walmart for the wonderfully low-priced Garanimals, but knew we would have to wait. I didn't worry. This is a new thing for me. Then hubby went to our friend's house to watch the Pacers game. He came home with a bag of clothes. Sam had been cleaning out her son's closet and knew that Jonathan was about that size. So Jonathan is now set for summer and possibly fall. God is good. All the time. He clothes the lilies of the field and he clothes us just as well.
* Now the important stuff. ;-) I'm ticked at "American Idol." First they had the contestants talk to a psychic. Then they voted off Latoya! She was the best one on the show. Now all my votes are going to Fantasia. I like Diana and Jasmine, but Fantasia and Latoya are truly the best on there.
* Okay, off to my couch...
TTFN,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 29, 2009
What's Up With Nattie?
(Originally published by Nattie on May 11, 2004)
* I am still having what seems like an endless round of headaches and migraines.
* Jonathan, my five-year-old, "graduated" from preschool last night.
* It has been summer like in small town, USA.
* Hot and humid.
* I am trying to write for 10 minutes a day.
* A lot of writers and teachers recommend it.
* So I'm trying it.
* Again.
* I'm STILL waiting for Heather to have her baby.
* STILL.
* Okay, she isn't due for 13 days.
* But she is dilated.
* She needs to pop that baby out so Auntie Nattie can see it.
* Blood pressure medication sucks.
* 'Nuff said about that.
* I'm ignoring God.
* That can't be a good thing.
* I just know He wants more of me right now.
* And I don't know how much more I can give.
* We'll wrestle it out.
* He'll win.
* But He'll make up for it.
* He always does.
* I've been making good money on half.com
* So I splurged and bought some used books—
* The Train to Estelline by Jane Roberts Wood
* Alpine Advocate by Mary Daheim
* The Hidden Writer by Alexandra Johnson
* A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King
* I'm also trying to figure out how to keep Jonathan learning over the summer.
* He has improved so much over this past year and I don't want him to lose what he has gained.
* Stacey has shared oodles of links with me.
* Right now, I'm avoiding exercising.
* I know I need to.
* I put it off because my head hurt.
* Now my head is better.
* I need to exercise.
* Know what is more fun than exercise?
* A whole lot. ;-)
* Enough avoiding...
TTFN,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
January 28, 2009
What matters
(Originally published by Nattie on August 6, 2004)
A while back, Andrea did an entry on what does and does not matter. It has been brewing in my brain and I think I'm ready to say what matters to me (in no particular order)...
- I am saved by GRACE.
- Wes
- Jonathan
- Anna
- Good books
- Good friends
- Diet Coke
- The health of my friends and family (and me)
- The size of my jeans
- The color of my hair
- The cleanliness of my carpet
- The dirty dishes in the sink
- My church
- My library
- My freedom of speech
- My free will
- My Bible
- My extended family
- My inherited family
- The size of my house
- The size of my car
- The balance on my checking account
- The amount of clothes in my closet
- The labels on the clothes in my closet
- Hugs and kisses from kids fresh out of the bathtub
- Storytime
- Hugs and kisses from kids fresh from playing in the mud
- Smooches from a man with a very scratchy beard
- Bedtime prayers
- Faith
- Hope
- Love
- Forgiveness
- Chinese lunches and IMing with my dad
- Across-country phone calls from my mom
- Living room floor picnics
- Family movie night
- Charmin toilet paper
- Caress soap
- Pizza delivery
- A good night's sleep
- Body pillows
- Name brand food
- Name brand shoes
- Cable TV
- Mean spiteful belittling people
- Having to be understood by everybody
- Having to always be right
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2009
Told you I can't think
(Originally published by Nattie on January 27, 2004)
I forgot to do this today...
"Madame Rubies" Go wish her a happy birthday!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:27 AM | Comments (4)
January 26, 2009
Fire
(Originally published by Nattie on May 11, 2004)
I stand in the kiln
Placed by the potter
In the refining fire
Will it refine me?
Will it break me?
Will it scar me?
The flames dance around me
Sweat coats my brow
Tears mingle and
Fall down my nose
I see a scar forming
A bright red gash
Will it be an old battle wound
That I look back on fondly
Or will it make me bitter?
I see a vibrant patina
Dancing in the flames
Refining
Renewing
Making me whole again
By N.R.Y.
May 10, 2004
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2009
March Reads
(Originally published by Nattie on May 10, 2004)
* Death of Riley by Rhys Bowen
* For the Love of Mike by Rhys Bowen
* Nightmare in Shining Armor by Tamar Myers
* Splendor in the Glass by Tamar Myers
* Tiles and Tribulations by Tamar Myers
* The Thin Woman by Dorothy Cannell
* The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
* The Cat Who Talked Turkey by Lillian Jackson Braun
* The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell
* The Ghost and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell
* Evans Above by Rhys Bowen
* Evan Help Us by Rhys Bowen
* Deadly Aim by Patricia Sprinkle
* A Case of Bad Taste by Lori Copeland
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:12 AM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2009
Mom's Day Monkeys
(Originally published by Nattie on May 1, 2004)
Remember you are needed.
There is at least one important work to be done that will not be done unless you do it.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:21 AM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
(Originally published by Nattie on May 8, 2004)
Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. ~ Proverbs 17:6 NIV
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 07:57 AM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2009
sunshine calls
(Originally published by Nattie on May 7, 2004)
The weather is gourgeous here in small town, usa. It is in the high 70s, low 80s. There is a nice breeze. My lounge chair beckons.
Thank you for the well-wishes. My headache finally receded. For now. :-)
And then I leave you with this thought..."Joy comes from knowing God loves me and knows who I am and where I'm going...that my future is secure as I rest in Him." ~ James Dobson
Updated at 1:52pm: I got too hot and the kids are red-cheecked despite sunscreen, so we are inside watching "Brother Bear."
I need to get moving on my reviews. I'm behind. As usual. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2009
inconsequentials
(Originally published by Nattie on May 6, 2004)
Here is an inconsequential blog, Sayruh style—
* Haven't felt very bloggy lately.
* Still.
* Forever.
* And ever.
* Amen.
* I feel like I've had a headache forever.
* And ever.
* And ever.
* I'm in such a bizarre mood.
* I returned all my library books yesterday.
* Unread.
* So unlike me.
* I also left my debit card in the ATM machine.
* Airhead!
* I can't focus.
* On anything.
* Other than my headache/migraine.
* Today was my son's last day of preschool.
* He thinks he starts kindergarten tomorrow.
* He and sissy are in kid heaven.
* Took them to McDonald's indoor playland two days in a row.
* Today they got an ice cream cone.
* What better way to end the day.
* They are coloring thank you cards for their Daddy.
* He's the one who said today's trip was okay.
* Thank goodness.
* I needed a break.
* Although a room full of screaming running children isn't much of a break.
* But they had fun.
* I read and munched on french fries.
* While they ran.
* And ran.
* And ran.
* Going to bed soon.
* Hoping to wake up in a better mood and headacheless.
* Headacheless.
* Not headless.
* Just had to clarify.
TTFN,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2009
*sniff*
(Originally published by Nattie on May 6, 2004)
Bye bye, Friends. I realize you are only a tv show, but you feel like my real friends. I "grew up" along with you. I turned 21 with you. I turned 30 with you. I got married and I had babies right along with you. I'll miss you. *sniff*
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:20 AM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2009
No dancing today
(Originally published by Nattie on May 4, 2004)
Unless you call rushing a five-year-old to a bucket and trying to clean up what didn't make the bucket at the same time a dance. In other words...the stomach flu has struck our house. So far it is just my five-year-old. *knock on wood* But that is enough. He doesn't get sick very often so he is pretty pathetic when he does. Well, off to sanitize...
Have a blessed "flu-less" day,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2009
Let us run...
(Originally published by Nattie on May 3, 2004)
Half the joy of life is in little things taken on the run. Let us run if we must...but let us keep our hearts young and our eyes open that nothing worth our while shall escape us. And everything is worth its while if we only grasp it and its significance. ~ Victor Cherbuliez
You probably remember the movie "Dead Poet's Society," and the teacher John Keating played by Robin Williams urging his students to, "carpe diem...seize the day," and, "suck the marrow out of life."
I went into the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life...to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. ~ Henry David Thoreau
Even though I've lived in a small town for eight years, I still walk like a big city girl. Eyes averted, aware but not making eye contact. While those eyes are busy not looking into other eyes, they are also closed to the wonders around them. It's like living the life of a cart-horse with blinders on.
My children have slowly awakened me to the wonders of the world around me, but I still tend to be too focused on getting from Point A to Point B. Especially when I was working. I was constantly going somewhere and never enjoying the in-between time. I hated that.
Well, I didn't realize I hated it until I tasted the slowness and sweetness of savoring the moment. Totally living in the moment. Not thinking about the dishes that needed to be done or the fact that I was rolling on carpet that needed to be vacuumed. I don't want to live life and find out that I was a pack horse. I want to live life and find that I was a wild mustang.
Can a mother be a wild mustang? Can a working mother be a wild mustang and still hold a job? I'm going to find out.
I know some other wonderful women who are embracing stasis, slacker moms, blessings at twilight and enjoying children who think they can do anything.
I want to reach the end of the race and hear "well done, good and faithful mustang (or servant—depending on your Bible translation)." I don't want to hear God say, "I gave you x amount of days and you just buried them all the sand."
So I've been watching robins build nests and hunt for worms after a newly fallen rain. I've strolled and let my children pick all the dandelions they want. I've stopped and smelled the heavy, heady lilac blooms. I'm going to keep writing. I'm going to keep living. I'm going to keep kissing freshly scrubbed cheeks. I'm going to eat pancakes for dinner. I'm going to dance madly around my living room to "Audio Adrenaline" with my daughter. I'm going to curl up with a good book. I'm going to watch movies and eat popcorn with my children. I'm going to read "The Three Little Bears" over and over again until I can read it in my sleep. I'm going to pick up my cross-stitch and lose myself in a project. I might even dust off my camera and have an impromptu fashion shoot. And wonder of all wonders I might dig out all of my crafting clutter and create. *gasp*
I'm not going to care about the stain in my shirt that I can't get out. I'm not going to worry about the dishes in the sink or the laundry waiting to be folded. It will all get done eventually, and if it doesn't the world won't end.
There is a time to mourn and a time to dance.
The time to dance is now.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 15, 2009
The Boxer
(Originally published by Nattie on May 3, 2004)
My dad figured out how to add music to my site. When I picked up Sara Groves' new CD this song really struck me. Hard.
"When you said it was a fight, you weren't kidding..." ~ from "The Boxer" by Sara Groves
Copyright Natalie Rose York
(Note: That MP3 was slow to load, so we eventually disabled it. I do have it on her iPod, but lack the software to retrieve it, so I'll just add the lyrics, here. (((((y'all)))))—Nattie's Daddy)
The Boxer
When you said this was a fight
You weren't kidding
When you said this was a fight
You weren't kidding, kidding
'Cuz my ribs are bruised
And it's just round twoWhen you said this was a fight
You weren't kidding
When you said this was a fight
You were not kidding
'Cuz there's a cut on my eye
And it's just round fiveAnd I used to be quick
I used to see you coming
I used to know how to move my feet
Now I can't duck
And I can't land nothin'
And I forgot how to bob and weave
Bob and weaveWhen you said this was a fight
You weren't kidding
When you said this was a fight
You weren't kidding, kidding, kidding
'Cuz this room's in a spin
And it's just round tenIf you care at all
Take that towel from your neck
'Cuz I've reached down deep
And there is nothing left
I've got nothing
I've got nothing
I've got nothingAnd I was talkin' big
I was talkin'
But now, now what?Greater is He who is in me
Greater is He who is in me
Okay, okay, okay
Greater is He who is in me
Greater is He who is in me
Greater, greater, okayBob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weaveAnd I can't just know it
I've got to feel it
And I can't just feel it
I've got to believe it
And I can't just believe it
I've got to live it
And I can't just live it
(You've got, you've got to believe it)Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weave
Bob and weaveThe Other Side Of Something, 2004
(Lyrics courtesy of Lyrics Mania)
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:47 AM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2009
I can do all things
(Originally published by Nattie on May 1, 2004)
Has anyone read the Jan Karon Mitford series? I know some of you have. In one of the books a character has to rely on God to answer a prayer for a new heart. Well, we should rely anyway, but you know us humans we like to do everything on our own steam and then when all of that is done ask God for help. That is another blog for another day...maybe.
Anyway. Father Tim tells this character, his parishioner, "Phillipians 4:13 for pete's sake!" When hope seems dim, this is what they cling to..."I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
It sounds trite and almost cliched, but it is true. I can do all things through him (Christ) who gives me strength.
I have been wrestling with God—again. I have only been a stay-at-home-mom for a little short of two years now. Before that my husband didn't think we could afford for me to stay home. God answered that prayer. I shared that with you a while back. Our finances are out of whack. It seems they always are and my husband's solution—I go back to work. Not tighten the belt. Not cut out extras. I go back to work. I've been fighting that for two years now. I've given up the fight. It isn't in my hands. I'm praying that God changes his heart or we win the lottery or something. :-)
I finally just had to rest on Phillipians 4:13 for pete's sake. I can't do it all. I can't be it all. That is one lesson I hope I've learned through the journey into the valley of depression. I can't be supermom or superwife. And frankly, I don't want to be that woman anymore. She was more flawed than her mask belied. Now I stand here totally naked and totally flawed crying at the top of my lungs..."I can do all things through him who gives me strength—for pete's sake!!!!!"
A friend shared this quote the other day and it is totally fitting for what I'm struggling with right now...
Our asking, our thinking, our praying are too small; our expectations are too limited.
He is trying to lift us up to a higher conception, and lure us on to a mightier expectation and appropriation. Oh, shall we put Him in derision?
There is no limit to what we may ask and expect of our glorious El-Shaddai;
and there is but one measure here given for His blessing, and that is "according to the power that worketh in us."—A. B. Simpson
Okay, God, I'll stop trying to limit you. Do your thing. If I stay at home, I do it on your strength. If I go back to work part-time or full-time, I do it on your strength. If I *gasp* have to give up Diet Coke, I do it on your strength. If I have to compromise with my husband, I do it on your strength. There is no limit to what YOU can do. Have at it. ;-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2009
church directory
(Originally published by Nattie on April 30, 2004)
We had our family picture taken for the church directory today. Of course they took some cute shots of the kids, too, and we didn't have the extra money to get them.
I hate that. The kids thought they were pretty good looking, too, and were disappointed that we only took the complimentary photo of the four of us. So I had to promise to take them back to have their pictures taken when we had the extra moolah. Probably around their birthday time this summer. Of course, they will probably not want their photos taken then. You win some. You lose some.
I'll post the family photo when I get it. I promised hubby I'd blank his face out. I might just blank myself out too. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2009
Authors
(Originally published by Nattie on April 30, 2004)
From a writing prompt: List your favorite authors.
As a a child and then tween my favorite authors were:
1. Laura Ingalls Wilder—specifically the Little House series
2. Louisa May Alcott—specifically Little Women
3. C.S. Lewis—specifically his Narnia series
4. Madeline L'Engle—specifically her time series
5. L.M. Montgomery—specifically the Anne of Green Gables series
6. Carolyn Keene—well, "she" is actually a conglomerate of corporate ghostwriters, but I loved Nancy Drew
7. Grace Livingston Hill—I haven't read all of her books but Matched Pearls and The Enchanted Barn were two long-standing favorites
8. Janette Oke—especially her Love Comes Softly series
9. I can't remember the author to the Trixie Belden series, but I wanted to be Trixie too.
In my tween/teen years, I also favored:
1. R.L. Stine
2. Francine Pascal—of Sweet Valley High fame
3. Ann Martin— the Babysitter's Club
4. Then I went through a classic writer phase including Agatha Christie, Wilkie Collins, Charlotte Bronte, Poe, Whitman and more
5. Then I moved on to the macabre—Dean Koontz
6. Larry McMurtry
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2009
don't fret
(Originally published by Nattie on April 28, 2004)
I'm alive. I spent the day with a dear friend. She has just found out that her hubby will be going to active duty in Afghanistan soon. She is pregnant. He won't be here for the birth of the baby. So the kids and I spent the day enlightening her three-year-old to the world of sibling rivalry. :-) Oh, the things he has to learn.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)
January 09, 2009
Has anyone seen my muse?
(Originally published by Nattie on April 27, 2004)
Yoohoo! *taps microphone for attention* Oh, muse, wherefore art thou? I've been reflecting lately that I feel museless and passionless. Every once in a while an idea flits across the transom of my mind, but then it skips off to locations unknown. *sigh* I do very little creative anymore. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Dried up.
My photography, my scrapbooking, my needlework, my writing, even my journaling...not being done. No desire. No passion. What has happened to it?
I was talking to someone the other day and she said that she hasn't been doing her needlework lately. And she was quite an artist even though she doesn't think so. She has done scads of quilts and cross-stitch projects over the years, but suddenly it has dried up. She has been going through a rough time—her youngest graduated from high school (busy, busy, busy, preparing for open houses and such), her business had to be sold, she started a new job, as did her husband. Then her husband decided to run for public office.
Like me I think she feels like she's just along for the ride and someone else is at the controls. Having someone else at the controls isn't a bad thing if it is the right someone.
Lately I've felt like a very wrong someone has the puppet strings and I'm dancing to their tune. I have no desires that are my own. I have no passions that are my own. The only desire I seem to have is sleep. I think I'm dancing the dance of depression again. It is an age old maze, yet the steps seem to keep changing. Just as soon as I find the steps out of the maze another wall grows *whomp* right in my face.
So here I am struggling through this maze, through this jungle. I know that God wants to help out here, but I'm getting a little desperate. You say you'll give me the desires of my heart. Well, give me back my desires. Something. Anything. Please. I hand you the puppet strings. Take them please. I know I can't handle them and I definitely don't want Ol' Nick handling them. I feel like Jacob wrestling with God asking him to bless me.
Does any of this make sense? Am I going insane? Do I need an exorcism? A lobotomy? Or just a vacation? A retreat! A spiritual retreat. A place where warm wind blows and I can feel the gritty sand beneath my feet. I have to sqint the sun is so bright and my skin is covered with dried salt from walks along the shore...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2009
Accountability
(Originally published by Nattie on April 26, 2004)
My aunt and I have decided to keep each other accountable in different areas of our life. We both have things we want to change, but sometimes lack the "umph" to get them done. So we picked five small goals each in different areas like spiritual, physical, mental, organizational, etc. We are going to review our goals once a month and reward ourselves for completing them.
Here are my five goals—
- Read one parenting book a month.
- Drink 16 oz. of water a day.
- Finish one cross-stitch project.
- Write for 20 minutes a day.
- Memorize one verse a week.
- I picked my first parenting book— Making Childern Mind Without Losing Yours by Kevin Leman. I chose this as a goal because I have a stack of parenting books that I've never finished and I really think it I could glean some good information and ideas if I could just finish the silly book. :-)
- I picked the 16 oz. water goal because I know I need to drink water, but I'm just horrible at it. So I figured I would start small. I have a few 16 oz water bottles and I'll start there. Then once I've got 16 oz. down, I'll move on to 32 and then 64.
- I picked the cross-stitch project goal because I have scads of cross-stitch supplies yet haven't completed a project in ages. I've decided it is time to fish or cut bait (whatever that means). I'm going to finish this one project and then decide whether I need to dispose of my cross-stitch supplies or continue to cross-stich.
- My writing is lacking lately. I intend to write about that later. I feel like my passion for writing has flown out the window. So I thought if I disciplined myself to write the "bones" for 20 minutes a day maybe it would spark something.
- And the last one is obvious—scripture memory is just plain good. :-) I did a lot of memory when I was younger and can still recall most of it. So I plan on reviewing that and building onward and upward.
Now that you are bored to death with my goals, I'll go fix breakfast.
TTFN,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
January 07, 2009
Dreaming...
(Originally published by Nattie on April 24, 2004)
I was reading a book a while back and the author said that we needed to remember how to dream and realize our dreams. She asked the reader to finish this sentence, "I always wanted to..." and then do it. In this instance, she wrote that she had always wanted to learn how to belly dance. So she signed up for classes and learned how to shimmy.
I realized that I had a lot of things I've always wanted to do. So here is my list. We'll see which one I can actually nail down and do.
I've always wanted to...
~ learn how to paint.
~ I've always wanted to learn how to speak French.
~ I've always wanted to learn how to dance.
~ I've always wanted to study Hebrew and Greek.
~ I've always wanted to learn how to do a cartwheel.
~ I've always wanted to write and publish a book.
~ I've always wanted to wander the streets of London.
~ I've always wanted to learn self-defense.
~ I've always wanted to get my nose pierced.
~ I've always wanted to go on a cruise.
~ I've always wanted to be organized.
~ I've always wanted to be a librarian.
~ I've always wanted to be able to drink coffee black without gagging.
~ I've always wanted to climb a mountain.
~ I've always wanted to be able to stand on my head.
~ I've always wanted to be a gymnast.
~ I've always wanted to finish a cross-stich project.
~ I've always wanted to learn how to hand piece a quilt.
~ I've always wanted to be able to crochet and knit.
~ I've always wanted to have more hours in the day.
What have you always wanted to do?
TTFN,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2009
It must have worked
(Originally published by Nattie on April 23, 2004)
The rain went away for a bit, so my son's repeatedly singing "Rain, rain, go away!" must have worked. We were able to go outside for a bit yesterday. Then had to come back in because someone doesn't like it when I enforce boundaries. :-( When will they learn? After we came inside I stood at my kitchen window and watched a birdy couple build a birdy nest. The other day we got to watch a momma robin digging for worms while papa robin stood guard. I'm not a bird person, but I do enjoy watching nature as it should be. :-)
And this morning I woke up to a bright blue cloudless sky. According to the weathercasters, more rain is coming this evening, but I'm enjoying the blueness of the sky while I can. I like a little rain, but I would never make it in Seattle. Too gray too many days of the year!
Well, I'm going to be crafty today. It has been too long since I've done anything craft related. So long that my craft area is a disaster.
I have three more questions to answer. These are from Sparrow:
1. If you could change into one animal at will, for a certain amount of time, which one would it be and why? A wild horse. They seem so free and so wild. Something I am not. :-)
2. What was your last (sleeping) dream about and did it have any special meaning for you? You don't even want me to go there. My dreams are often like carnival freak shows. They are bizarre. Occasionally I have a dream that appears to have some meaning, but rarely.
3. In your walk with Him, what way has God answered specifically a prayer that you were waiting on an answer for? There was one instance two years ago when I was working and yearning to stay at home, but my husband was against it. He isn't a bad guy, but he is very much about the money and the comforts. I was having problems at work. I was having problems with depression and I kept praying for God to show me a way out. He did. I got fired. And the amazing thing, my husband did not make me go back to work. Not that he hasn't hinted, but I've been able to stay home for twp years now when I thought I would never have that joy or privilege. At the time I thanked God for what I thought was an unanswered prayer, but really it was answered in a much different way than I had ever thought possible.
Well...have a blessed day,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:40 AM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2009
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
(Originally published by Nattie on April 23, 2004)
Please continue to pray for Mel. I received an email today that the doctor has told her she is losing the baby.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. ~ Psalm 34:18
Copyright Natalie Rose York
(Daddy's note: This photo was taken in 2006 on the occasion of Natalie's last visit with her high school friend Melanie in California. Given the date of the entry above, it appears that your prayers were answered...If my assumptions are incorrect, Nattie's Mom will let me know. Stay tuned.)
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (3)
January 03, 2009
April Reads
(Originally published by Nattie on April 22, 2004)
1~ A Day to Pick Your Own Cotton by Michael Phillips
2~ Thou Shalt Not Grill by Tamar Myers
3~ Discipline - The Glad Surrender by Elisabeth Elliott
4~ Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
5~ The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
6~ Down the Garden Path by Dorothy Cannell
7~ Sometimes, I Wake Up Grumpy...And Sometimes I Let Him Sleep by Karen Scalf Linamen
8~ Mrs. Jeffries Dusts for Clues by Emily Brightwell
9~ Booked to Die by John Dunning
10~ The Master Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini
11~ Miss Julia Meets Her Match by Ann B. Ross
12~ Life Goes On by Philip Gulley
13~ Guardian of the Horizon by Elizabeth Peters
14~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
15~ Evanly Choirsby Rhys Bowen
16~ Death at Bishop's Keep by Robin Paige
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 01:22 PM | Comments (0)
January 02, 2009
TGIF
(Originally published by Nattie on April 30, 2004)
Not much going on in Small Town, USA today. Except more rain. I did go to the library and picked up some books on the sale table.
~ Alpine Decoy by Mary Daheim
~ The Anodyne Necklaceby Martha Grimes
~ The Coming Home Quilt by Joanna Hampton
~ The Secrets of Sadie Maynard by Linda Anderson
~ The Gift of Honor by Gary Smalley and John Trent
Not a bad deal for a dollar.
I also picked up a movie to watch after the kidlets are in bed—"Agatha Christie's Seven Dials Mystery"
Not much else on the docket. I have been tackling one big project a day. Yesterday I cleaned under my couch and under the cushions. That may not sound like a big deal to those of you who don't have kids, but my kids like to hide things in the couch—including food. Yuck!
Tomorrow I'm going to my aunt's to borrow her serger and sewing machine so I can make some doo-rags for my daughter and me. I have lots of fabric scraps and thought I'd make good use of them.
I have to brag just a bit on my son. Yes, he was driving me insane yesterday with his version of "Rain, rain, Go away," the why questions and this new laugh that he has developed that is a cross between a lamb bleating and Fran Drescher's laugh from "the nanny." But then he did something sweet. I was playing my Media player and Rebecca St. James' song "Song of Love" came on. He said, "Mommy, they sing that at church. That's about Jesus." I told him that it was about Jesus and that Jesus loved for us to make a joyful noise to him. So Jonathan started singing along. He never sings like that. It was heaven to my ears. And he made me play the song over and over and over again. *sniff* My little boy is growing up.
The other day when we had tornado warnings and such he told me that he wanted the potatoes (tornadoes) to go away and that he wanted to go to California because there are no potatoes there. LOL! When did he get to be such a big boy.
One more thing...how could I forget?! I just wanted to share my gratitude list. I haven't posted one in a while...
~ Scholarship funds at preschool (big PTL!)
~ Gift certificates to Family Christian Store, Shell and Olive Garden
~ Fundraiser prize money that I knew nothing about
~ Librarians that know my name
~ Book sales
~ Too many potatoes in my pantry (better than too few)
~ The tomato plants that are growing in my back yard
~ Minute Maid Fruit Punch
~ Fig Newtons
~ Cookouts with neighbors
~ Kids who love to sing about Jesus
Have a blessed day,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2009
Forgot to answer...
(Originally published by Nattie on April 22, 2004)
a few more questions I've received:
From Jamie—
1. Worst movie ever? Why? Just about anything by Adam Sandler. No, I guess that isn't right, because I have enjoyed his gentler comedies like "the Wedding Singer," but most of his others make me want to stab my eyes out with knives so I can stop the pain. I'm just not into his brand of humor. Yet I can watch "SNL." Go figure.
2. What is something you collect and why? Cows, Tiggers and Books are the three things I collect most. I don't remember how I got started on cows. I guess I just love the black-and-white jersey cow. I received my first Tigger for my 16th birthday from my then boyfriend. There is no turning back. Tigger represents something I want to be—bouncy, trouncy and fun. Books have been my constant and faithful friends for years. I can't get enough of them. Parting with them is painful.
3. How does the knowledge that you have access to God affect your daily life? Since being diagnosed with chronic depression I've had to rely more on God every day. I would never have made it this far without God and his grace. In fact I sometimes wonder if God didn't allow this thorn because I was so good at clipping along at my own pace and only paying him service at my convenience. I'm thankful then if that is the case because the reward of being one of God's chosen ones is so much greater than any other reward that the world offers.
From Tiff—
1. Favorite animated film For years I loved the Disney movies such as "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," "Lion King," "Aladdin," etc. But my-all time favorite that stands the test of time is..."Pete's Dragon."
2. Favorite author/book Oy! Do I have to pick just one? If so, I'd have to pick...Laura Ingalls Wilder. I collect her works. Not just the Little House series, but her articles she wrote for the local paper. I've also visited her home in Missouri. I keep a picture of her writing desk next to my desk. She is a major role model for me.
3. Favorite singing group Again, just one?! I don't listen to many "groups." I tend to like single artists, but my favorite groups are Mercy Me, No Doubt, The Dixie Chicks, and Third Day.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:49 AM | Comments (0)
December 31, 2008
Happy B-day, Mrs. Potts
(Originally published by Nattie on December 31, 2003)
Another Birthday! Today it is my friend, Skipper's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Potts. (She is the pot and I am the kettle).
Love, Sister Kettle
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:07 AM | Comments (1)
December 30, 2008
April showers
(Originally published by Nattie on April 21, 2004)
We are getting our april showers. Actually I don't know that shower is the appropriate word. I think april the-sky-has-split-open-and-we-are-building-an-ark-ers would be more appropriate. No flooding yet. We needed the rain, but my son is running around singing, "rain, rain, go away" and wondering why the sky isn't listening to him. Then he has to ask me why over and over and over again. So if you see a woman running screaming down the street because someone asked her one too many "why" questions, that would be me. Don't worry, I'm sure my sanity will be restored at some point. Maybe when the kids are in college. Maybe.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:20 AM | Comments (0)
December 29, 2008
AACK!
(Originally published by Nattie on December 29, 2003)
I forgot my amiga's birthday! *slaps head* Go wish,Angie, a happy birthday. She is getting closer to the big 3-0!! I think this year she is 29 and holding. Happy Birthday, Amiga!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:51 AM | Comments (0)
December 27, 2008
The whiny nattie
(Originally published by Nattie on April 19, 2004)
...has taken over my body. So I might not post for a bit. I don't want to listen to myself whine and I doubt anyone else does either. LOL! So once I kick the whiny nattie out of residence, I'll try to post something inspiring or funny...or at least something not whiny.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)
December 26, 2008
Answers
(Originally published by Nattie on April 17, 2004)
I know everyone else answered their questions in their comments section, but I like to be different so I'll answer them here. :-)
Chris asked:
1. How are you feeling? Pretty good minus bad blood pressure and allergies. At least my moods are fairly stable.
2. Are you going to homeschool your angels? Not formally. I'd love to, but don't think I have it in me and hubby isn't for it. He's of the mind that public school was fine for him so it is fine for his kids. I'm praying though. ;-)
3. Did you know that there is a new Miss Julia book out? Yes! I'm reading it right now—Miss Julia Meets Her Match by Ann B. Ross. I love Miss Julia.
Melissa got brave and asked:
1. Pretend you have one complete free hour. What do you do with it? I always feel like I should be cleaning, but lately if I have a free hour I go outside on my back patio. I sit in my plastic chair and prop my feet on the kids' little chair. I lean back, close my eyes and soak in the sun for a bit then I...read.
2. Who's your favorite author? Hmmm...all-time favorite, never written anything bad...Rosamunde Pilcher—hands down. But there are many others that I love just as much. :-) You know how it is.
3. You have one wish. What'll it be? Currently my one wish is to wake up one day and no longer have to take any medication and no longer be hampered by my extra weight. I'd just like wake up one day and unzip this fat suit. I can dream, can't I? :-)
Kim asked:
1. What shoes are you wearing right now? None. Just Gold Toe socks. Usually I go around barefoot and don't put shoes on till I have to go out the door. Flylady I am not.
2. If you had to do one or the other, which would you do, give up TV forever or give up the computer forever? That is a hard one. I'm becoming less and less enchanted with the TV. There are few shows I watch regularly. I would miss videos though. But the internet links me to my friends. So if I had to choose, I'd probably pitch the TV.
3. Favorite potato chip? Last night I tasted the best chip—Guacamole Doritos. Yummy.
Jeanne asked:
1. Have you seen "The Passion of the Christ"? Yes!
2. If so, how has it affected your outlook on life and your faith? Definitely. I can't even explain it.
3. What would you change about your life if you could? It sounds trite, but my weight. We aren't talking just a few pounds were talking major weight and it is slowing me down.
Naomi asked:
1. What's the craziest most scariest thing you've ever done? Getting married. Just kidding. Having kids? Okay, I'll try to be serious. I don't know that I've ever been crazy. I'm too...boring. At the time though, rock climbing seemed pretty scary. I didn't do the rope and rappeling thing. Just hands and hiking boots and it was exhilirating. I'd love to do it again.
2. Where do you go to get away from "IT" all? When I lived in California, I went to the beach. I've yet to find that place here. I do like to go to a B&N or a local coffeshop called Bixby's. I can sip my mocha and read to my heart's content and no one is yelling out, "Mommy!"
3. As a kid where you shy? Painfully. I still am. I have a hard time looking someone in the eyes if I don't know them.
Dana asked:
1. How high do your heels have to be before they become hazardous to your health? They don't even have to have heels to be dangerous. I'm a danger to myself at any altitude. :-)
2. When are you starting school? *sigh* I haven't told you gals, but hubby isn't being all that supportive. He doesn't understand the need for knowledge if it isn't going to lead to more money. So I'm going to try to just take a course at a time at a community college if I can find the money and continue to pray for God to change hubby's heart.
3. What do you want to major in when you go back to school? I'm torn between English, History and Christian Ministries. I really want to study Greek and Hebrew. I have felt called for a long time to the ministry, but I've been denying the call. We'll see where God leads.
Pattie asked:
1. Do you like the theatre? Love it! But we don't have much theatre here in Small Town, USA. When I lived in California, my mom had season tickets to a community theatre. I loved going with her. I also went to a "performing arts" junior high and enjoyed performing in musicals and plays.
2. You've tried a bunch of different journals--which one is your favorite? So far, I love the Rollabind journals. They are so versital. I have a black leather one and it is heaven.
3. What is your favorite Yankee Candle scent? I don't know if it is my favorite, but it is my old stand by if I don't know what flavor I want—Banana Nut Bread.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:15 AM | Comments (0)
December 24, 2008
Crazy Busy
(Originally published by Nattie on April 16, 2004)
I've been crazy busy in a weird sort of way, if that makes sense.
I continued my cleaning spree yesterday and tackled some big projects. I also spent a lot of time outside with the kids. Then I went to a Pampered Chef bridal party this morning. The rest of the day was spent outside. I read while the kids played. It was nice to take a break from cleaning. We are expecting some rain so I'll have plenty of time to continue my spree then.
I will be back Monday to answer my questions. So if you have any more throw 'em at me.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:00 AM | Comments (0)
December 23, 2008
Come one, come all...
(Originally published by Nattie on April 15, 2004)
and ask me THREE questions.
I found this on Heather's Site.
***************************************************************
I want everyone who reads this to ask me three questions, no more no less.
Ask me anything you want.
Then I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends (including myself) to ask you anything.
***************************************************************
This could be dangerous. Very dangerous. Especially if Jojo gets involved.
TTFN,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:21 AM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2008
just swingin'
(Originally published by Nattie on April 14, 2004)
I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. Isn't it funny how a couple of days of illness can totally throw your house into disarray?! Well, there is a reason for that. God love him...my hubby.
Tuesday when I couldn't scrape myself off the bathroom floor I had my daughter bring me the phone and I called my hubby. He called the greats (the kids' great grandparents) and they took the kiddies for the day. So I had all day to puke as I pleased. Ha ha!
Then hubby took off work Wednesday. I wasn't puking anymore, but I was still weak and wasn't on solid food yet. Sometimes I wonder why I allow him to take the day off work because he does none of the work that I do in a normal day. I think he really thinks I sit on my tushy all day long.
So this morning I woke up to a double sink full of dishes, laundry that had bred to a the size of a small army in two short days, and general clutter. I'm still gaining my strength back, but so far today I've...
~ gone to the bank
~ gone to the grocery store
~ taken my son to speech therapy
~ taken the kids to the library
~ fixed lunch
~ fixed up an area for son's "new" Super Nintendo so it is out of my way (it was in the middle of my kitchen—aargh!)
~ taken out four bags of garbage and two boxes of clutter (this is hubby's "job" but I got tired of waiting for him to do it)
~ organized my CDs (hubby had knocked over the CD tower a while back and hadn't put it back together—like I said, God love him cause he's trying my nerves)
~ listed some old CDs that I don't listen to on half.com
~ decluttered my desk and surrounding area (a major hotspot)
~ done a load of dishes
~ done a million loads of laundry (okay, maybe not that many, but quite a few)
~ decluttered the top of the refrigerator
~ took a shower (cuz I was stinky after all that work)
Now I'm getting ready to fix dinner. Thank God for Hamburger Helper. The kids love it and ground chuck was on sale—buy one package, get one free (I feel like Kim).
I have a "Ready to Learn" workshop at the library and then home again for me. "Friends" is a repeat tonight, but the "American Idol" results show is on so I guess my evening won't be a total wash.
TTFN,
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:34 AM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2008
Back from the dead
(Originally published by Nattie on April 13, 2004)
1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to Page 18, find Line Four. Write down what it says. "We don't have to seek some other means of satisfaction or a substitute that never fills us." ~ From A Woman And Her God by Beth Moore and others.
2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first? A lamp shade.
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV? "American Idol" (I wish Quenton Tarantino wasn't a guest judge. I'm not a big fan of his)
4. Without looking, guess what time it is. 8:50 pm
5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time? 8:53 pm
6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? The dryer and a commercial on tv
7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing. Went to get Chinese food. The first "real" food I've eaten in almost 48 hours.
8. Before you came to this website, what did you look at? I was reading Sara's Blog.
9. What are you wearing? Blue sport bra, white ribbed tank top, charcoal grey stretch pants, white Gold Toe socks and my flowered robe. Classy, eh?
10. Did you dream last night? I had weird post flu dreams. Nothing exciting.
11. When did you last laugh? When my son groaned and shouted, "Mom, I got killed." (he just inherited his dad's old Super Nintendo and he is learning the joys of Mario Brothers games)
12. What is on the walls of the room you are in? Too much stuff to be mentioned. I'm in my living room and I have loads of family pictures on the walls. And I do mean loads. I'm an amatuer photographer and my family members are my favorite props.
13. Seen anything weird lately? Pam Anderson before silicone overcame her body. She was actually prettier, IMO. (I was watching some silly show on ET)
14. What do you think of this quiz? It is...unique. :-)
15. What is the last film you saw? In the theater..."Lion King 1-1/2 (cute)
On tv..."Forget Paris" (one of my favorites)
Rental..."Something's Gotta Give" (loved it—want it)
16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first? After paying off my bills...I'd buy a house or a bookstore. Can't decide. I also always wanted to set a trust fund up for all my family members so they could pick out what they wanted.
17. Tell me something about you that I don't know. Dang...after that Dayquil episode where I spilled my guts I can't think of anything you don't know about me...hmmm...I don't like to clean, but I love the smell of bleach.
18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? I'd want world peace. LOL! Howz that for a beauty queen answer? Nah, I'd just banish nosehair, ear hair and chiggers.
19. Do you like to dance? Usually at home alone and in my underwear. (don't laugh)
20. George Bush: is he a power-crazy nutcase or some one who is finally doing something that has needed to be done for years? *sigh* Let's not go there.
21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her? Audrey Rose (yes, that is the name I chose for my first child)
22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him? Jonathan Russell (yes, that is the name of my buddy)
23. Would you ever consider living abroad? But, of course. At least a winter home or summer home or fall home or spring home somewhere exotic but America would always be my home home. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2008
don't miss me
(Originally published by Nattie on April 12, 2004)
I might be offline for a few days. I've got the stomach flu.
This is the first time all day that I've been out of bed and have not been hugging the toilet. I don't think this reprieve is going to last long.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:27 AM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2008
The day after Easter...
(Originally published by Nattie on April 12, 2004)
and I think plastic Easter grass should be outlawed and abolished. I didn't even buy my children Easter baskets. Why didn't I buy them baskets, you ask?
- They are spoiled rotten! They got baskets from their Grandma Mary, their Nana, their cousin Joy and went to two family easter egg hunts!!!
- As if Number One wasn't enough, I'm tired of the commercialism. Just like Christmas I have to battle what the world says about the holiday with the true reason we celebrate.
I'm hoping that, as I did as a child, my children will discover that Santa is only Mom and Dad wrapping presents after they are in bed. That the Easter Bunny is really Daddy coloring eggs in the middle of the night and then hiding them where no one can find them. ;-) And that the Tooth Fairy is just Mommy tucking a quarter under the pillow while tucking the tooth in her memory drawer (okay, I haven't had to do that yet, but I don't know if I could throw that little tooth away *sniff*). But at the end of the day there is one "fairy tale" or story from childhood that is constant and real—Jesus.
~ Off to vacuum up more pink and purple grass while trying to keep the kids out of their candy stash.
Update—
BTW, I posted this at 1pm. It is now 5:15pm. I have vacuumed twice and I'm still finding plastic grass. We won't talk about the fights over the candy. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:18 AM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2008
Happy Birthday to my Soul Sis!
(Originally published by Nattie on December 17, 2003)
It is my Soul Sis, Leann's, birthday today. Wish her a happy birthday!!!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (1)
December 16, 2008
I think a lightbulb just turned on
(Originally published by Nattie on April 8, 2004)
Since becoming a mother, I have had many ah-ha or lightbulb moments about my relationship with God. Being a parent really is the perfect place to learn about our Heavenly Father. There are so many moments when I get frustrated with my kids and then...ah-ha...poor God. If I'm frustrated with my two children over this issue, how much more frustrated must he feel because of all of His children.
But God isn't wired that way. I may get frustrated and get angry and act on that anger. God gets frustrated because He loves us and wants the best for us. He may get angry especially if we have been banging our heads on that same wall, but thankfully He is ever patient. He just doesn't want to see us hurt ourselves needlessly. Sound familiar? Instead He reachs out to show us how he feels. I had one of those moments yesterday.
I went to the bathroom and locked the door. Of course, Immediately I had two faces pressed to the crack under the door, "What doing, Mom?"
I sigh, "I'm going to the bathroom." I'm thinking...why do I need to explain why I'm in the bathroom? Why isn't it just enough for them to know that I am in here? Why do I have to explain each bodily function?
Or if I'm doing the dishes. "What doing, Mom?"
I sigh, "I'm doing the dishes, Sweetie." As if they can't see, in this instance, what I'm doing.
Then. .ah-ha!
I cry out, "What are you doing, God?"
He sighs, "My child. I am here. Isn't that enough for you."
Why isn't that enough for me?
Well, I do come by it naturally. Mankind as a whole hasn't been that patient. Think back to the Old Testament times when Israel wasn't satisfied with the high priests and the temple. They wanted a king. They had a king, but they wanted a king that they could see. *smacks head*
Do I really want to go down that road again? I don't think so.
So, forgive me, God. I will try to be satisfied with your presence. But if you feel so inclined, I'd love to know what you are doing. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:21 AM | Comments (1)
December 13, 2008
His Mercies
(Originally published by Nattie on April 7, 2004)
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."
~ Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSV)
I thank God that not only are his mercies new every morning, they are new every minute. Like that day I wanted to do-over. I had another morning like that today. Actually, I was guilting myself because sleep won out over getting up early today and yesterday. I'm a night owl so it hasn't been easy. I think the lack of sleep just caught up to me. I haven't been going to bed all that much earlier and was getting up early. So I felt guilty. That's not of God.
to the very end of the age.
~ Matthew 28:20b (NIV)
Not, I am only with you when you wake up early in the morning. I am with you always!
Then there is Psalm 139...
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [1] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I go from your presence? He is here when I fixed the kids' breakfast. He was here when I folded laundry. He was here when I brushed my teeth. *sigh* Thank God, for His mercies. He is here when I'm groaning about my sinus headache. He will be with me when I'm pushing the kids in the swing at the park. Thank you, Lord, for overcoming death and for saving me from a life devoid of hope and light.
Here is a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer that I read today and it really got me thinking...
We pay more attention to dying than to death. We're more concerned to get over the act of dying than to overcome death. Socrates mastered the art of dying; Christ overcame death as the last enemy. There is a real difference between the two things; the one is within the scope of human possibilities, the other means resurrection. It's not from ars moriendi, the art of dying, but from the resurrection of Christ, that a new and purifying wind can blow through our present world. Here is the answer to Archimedes' challenge: "Give me somewhere to stand, and I will move the earth." If only a few people really believed that and acted on it in their daily lives, a great deal would be changed. To live in the light of resurrection--that is what Easter means. ~
So today, I will strive to live in the light of Jesus' resurrection, not in the light of guilt and condemnation. He bore that all for me and for you.
Have a blessed day!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:29 AM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2008
I am blessed
(Originally published by Nattie on April 7, 2004)
It is silly how the little things do make a difference.
~ Firstly, we had a nice day playing in the back yard in the beautiful 70-degree spring sunshine.
~ Secondly, I was the first one to check out a new book at the library. I've been waiting for it. What book was it? Should I tell you? Okay, I will. It was Miss Julia Meets Her Match by Ann B. Ross.
~ Thirdly, a book I had on hold was in. They didn't even have to call me. It had just come in. Talk about timing. What book was that? Life Goes On by Phil Gulley.
~ Fourthly, I won a prize for the library's Winter Reading program. I totally forgot about it. It was a $50 gift certificate for Family Christian Store. Wahoo!
So I got four things off my wishlist—
- Making Your Home a Haven by Cyndy Salzmann
- Girl Meets God by Lauren F. Winner
- Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren F. Winner
- "The Other Side of Something" by Sara Groves
~ All around a good day. I'm tickled pink. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:07 AM |