Musings From Natalie #161

Natalie: Oh shoot...I can't remember what I was going to tell you....You know, when you forget something it's just your brain keeping a secret from you.

Musings From Natalie #160

Natalie was thinking about the close of the year...

Natalie: So, you are going to be 47 soon.

Me: Nope. 48

Natalie: Whoa! That's almost 50!

Me: hmmm...really.

Natalie: Oh! Don't worry, Mama. You're only halfway there. (to death, I presume. lol)

(I love her half full mentality)

Musings From Natalie #159

Last weekend I introduced Natalie to a favorite childhood movie of mine - The Dark Crystal. 

I think she liked it because I realize I now have a new ringtone - skeksis Chamberlain's whine. 

Mmmmm...

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Natalie

This morning Noah greeted Natalie with a Happy Birthday and a new moniker...Teenage Mutant Ninja Natalie.

I can't believe she's really a teen.

When I look at her I still see her like this:

...maybe that's because I wish I could keep her close to me -- all to myself.

But, I know that's not how this growing-up thing works.

She's such a joy. She finds the good in all things and all people.

She thinks memes and vines are funny.

She loves musicals and knows all the words to the songs in Shrek and Hairspray.

She's a big Billie Eilish fan.

She reads every day and every evening. Her ELA teacher is certain Nat will read her entire library of books before the end of the school year.

She's started looking at colleges...

I can't even.

Happy 13th to our Natty Grace!

  

Musings From Natalie #158

Natalie: Can I have a hug?
Me: What kind do you want?...dinosaur T-Rex?...butterfly? or bear?
Natalie: All of them!
Me: (pinching myself inside that she's days away from becoming a teenager and still wants hugs from her mama) Ok!
Natalie: I don't know who invented hugs...but I'm glad they did.
Me: (me, too)

Recently I took this pic of Natalie and sent it to my sister. I think it's hilarious that Nat is in plays and dresses just like her Aunt Nae did in high school.
 #fashionflashback

Deep Thoughts From Noah #96

Recently Noah was invited to have lunch with his Best Buddy and another pair of Buddies. While driving to the restaurant, I reminded him to use his best table manners.

Me: Noah don't forget to use good table manners.
Noah: Mahhhm! I already know that.
Me: Don't forget to use napkins and...
Noah: Ok... Hey, wait, are napkins REALLY neccessary?
Me: sigh...

Pushing Past Panic to Find a Passion

June 17th marked 17 years of marriage with the Big Steve-O, yet the two of us never took/made time to celebrate. This summer has been fraught with a lot of heartache and anxiety over parenting Noah. I've lost weight, my hairdresser noticed my hair was thinning and I've felt extremely fatigued. Last month Steve signed me up for a one day, pet portrait watercolor class because he always seems to know what I need even if I don't always agree with him...kinda like that one time nearly eight years ago when he signed me up for a writing course.
Me: "Why would you do that? I have no idea what to write. I have nothing to say."
Steve: (no words - just an unwavering belief in me)

Steve may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he is honest and fair and his faith in Jesus is strong and has carried our family through tough times. While his words are few, his actions speak volumes. His passion is in making me happy...mostly -- though there's a reason, as a little boy, his mama called him Steven the Heathen.

I love you, Steve -- you big lug.

I began painting -- mainly out of fear... because I hadn't held a brush for 10 years and didn't want to look like a complete fool at the class. So, I practiced as much as I could and although I nearly had a panic attack during the class and had to leave early -- I have found joy in the process.

My first one I created for a friend who lost her beloved 2 year old Belgian Malinois this past spring.
Meet Indie

A few weeks ago my niece had to put down her 4 year old dog unexpectedly.
Meet Sadie

Last month my Barb, my sister-friend, celebrated another trip around the sun. Someone who over the years has talked me down from more ledges and lifted me up more times than I can count.
Meet Cocoa Bean

When I shyly showed my paintings to my former boss, Ellen Rohr, someone who I have always admired for her can do, glass half full attitude, she immediately offered to pay me to paint her own two pooches...a gift for her husband. My heart nearly burst...not for the money, but that I could bring joy to someone from something I created.

Meet Molly and Sox

Our Truvy dog's breeder, Theresa has been a lifeline and been available to us any time we have called on her with a question about our pup. For her, a rendering of her beloved, 3 year old labradoodle.
Meet Dusty

My latest rendering is for a lovely lady who lost the dog of her life to cancer.
Meet Rusty