Let's Get Happy

The six years before Jude entered our lives I'd changed a lot. "Change" should be the theme of my married life. When David and I got married I was 20 years old and left my parent's home for my new married home. I had been out of high school for a year and a half. Now, I've always been an old soul and a little more mature in some ways than others. But suddenly living with someone I'd never lived with before was new, and hard in a lot of ways. And it wasn't the living together that was hard. It was sharing money. It was deciding how to spend that money. It was figuring out our time together. It was figuring out how to decide things together and for me to remain calm during those decisions, and for David to realize that I have a strong opinion about everything. In our first two years of marriage we moved a few times (new jobs, flooding houses and living with siblings had big effects on us). Anyway, we had some work to do. I. I had some work to do. I loved David and I wanted to have an awesome marriage. (Once in an email he sent me right after we were married he told me, "I want for us to be able to look at each other and have nothing to say but, 'It's good!'"  But I had to be really happy by myself first. And I was most of the time. Just sometimes I was negative. I was negative a lot, actually.
David finally told me. Do you want to be happy? You can be happy all the time. Even if things are bad. Even if people are mean or we don't have any money or things are hard. You get to decide how YOU feel. No one else tells you how to feel.  So I worked on it. I prayed every day to my Heavenly Father, "Please help me be happy today." And I got happy. I changed a lot. It was hard, but it worked.
Jude has done the same thing for me. Once I had him in my life I thought, "He sees every single thing I do. He hears every word I say. I can't be negative. Everything I do is teaching him how to be. I have to be happy. I have to not yell. I have to be positive." So I got happier.
My dad is a really honest person. He says what he thinks (with tact). He told me he saw a change in my when I had Jude. That I was happier. That made me happy.
So I have two men to thank on this momentous day where a little man came into our lives. Thank you for giving me another reason to be happy. I've always said I like boys better than girls, and now I have two that I get to spend every day with. Boys are sensible and my boys give me every reason to be happy. They've turned me into a better version of myself.

All I want for Christmas is...

I love love love Christmas! This is definitely our favorite time of year. We spent Friday night picking out and decorating our tree. I even carried it up the stairs by myself! It's making the house smell wonderful.
Yes. I'm greedily posting things that I want for Christmas. If nothing else, maybe it will help some of you pick things out for friends, sisters, moms. I've been pouring over other bloggers lists for ideas and inspiration.
Really the only thing I want for Christmas is a new pair of glasses. That's David's only assignment. But, in a perfect world where he could read my mind (or read my blog more often than once a month), these would be under the tree as well:

I have wanted a glass citrus juicer for who knows how long:

Large metal lettering...maybe "EAT" for the kitchen?

 

The Linus Throw from CB2.

Cute little Folk Garden Calendars:

What are you asking for this Christmas?

Style Advice

For the most part, I like how I dress and I feel like I know how to dress my body in a pretty flattering way. I do get into style ruts or sometimes choose things that I love over how they flatter my body, but for the most part I steer toward open necked tops, nothing too tight, high waisted pants or skirts to suck me in and hit me in the right spot on my waist. My issue this week is that we're getting pictures taken this week and I need advice with what to wear! In the past I've always worn jeans- because that's US and I want the photos to represent us. However, I want to do something fun, bright, different, but still us, this time. So, what are my options? I'll break them down for you, and I'd love any input, suggestions or inspiration.


Jeans: skinny darks or flared darks

Pants: black, high waisted skinnies

Skirts: Madewell chambray button down skirt, worn high waisted

 I can't stop wearing this skirt

Tops:  red-orange plaid collared button up, plaid wool collared button up (seen in this post), t-shirts, cardigans, belts...

 Shoes: brown Frye motorcycle boots, red ankle strapped wooden open toed clogs, flats, white slight wedged Target slip ons...

 

                                                                          the red clogs look similar to these

What do you think?

Calling all Mad Men Enthusiasts

I guess if you're a Mad Men lover you are not necessarily a Joan lover. She's a little harsh. But I love her! I love her red hair, her amazing outfits and the fact that she is curvy and proud of it.

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I'm almost done watching the 4th season and I have been coveting Joan's pen necklace for weeks. I always think to myself how I really want the exact same thing but that I'd probably never find it. Well... I was wrong!
After googling 'Joan's necklace Mad Men' I found this amazing vintage inspired piece.

Now my only struggle is...would I wear it? I need to force myself, I think. (I'm not a huge jewelry person). Maybe it will inspire me to dress up more :) Do you watch Mad Men? Are you a Joan fan? Oh, and have you seen the new Banana Republic line/window displays? I LOVE them!

Am I a Runner?

Probably not. Running 2-3 times a week isn't really that legit, but I'm working my way up to it. I have hated running my entire life! I was the girl who barely passed PE. I don't like jogging around, getting sweaty, or ANY sports. The most I've ever run without stopping was 8th grade when we had to do the mile once a week and one time I did the entire thing in a slow jog. Since then I still haven't worked my way back. But I'm trying! My sister has been encouraging me to go running with her since I moved home. She just moved up to school last week, and I've surprised myself by still going, just alone. I can feel myself getting better and better and it getting easier and easier. I know everyone has told me that it gets easier, but for some reason I've never believed them.

                                                                     Source: egotastic.com via Crazybeautifulmakeup on Pinterest

I want to run to get in good shape, to be healthy and happy, but also to accomplish something. I know I can keep it up and I look forward to accomplishing some goals with it. If anyone has any tips or stories of how they got to a point where they loved it, I'd love to hear them! (And yes, that is Kourtney Kardashian up there. I think she's cute).

I'll dig a tunnel from my window to yours.

Five years down. I love you to the moon and back.

Birthday Celebration

My birthday was awesome! Saturday David and I had brunch with fam, went to Beck's first birthday party and then headed up to Salt Lake to shop + eat at our favorite Thai place. I got a new purse, which I was very excited about since the one I've been toting around I've had for about 6 years and it's falling apart. We also got to finally go to Les Madeleines which I've been dying to try for over a year. I tried my first macaron! I'm in love. Passionfruit was my fave. David got an eclair which was also very yummy. But the lavender lemonade was the best part.

Sunday we celebrated my birthday and also used it as an excuse for a little going away party at the park. I was so glad mostly everyone was able to make it; it meant a lot to us. We have some amazing friends here and we're sad to move away.

Birthday Wishes

I'm always saying how I need to wear something other than jeans...but I just can't help swooning over these gorgeous outfits. I LOVE high waisted jeans right now and I'd love to rock them. I've always been a bit of a hippie at heart. Any of these things (or obviously copies of them since the leather bag is mucho dinero) would be accepted happily by me for my birthday. I can't wait! Last year was a bit of a bust because we shot a wedding all day. This year is going to be amazing!

Source: moonfaceon.blogspot.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: None via Natalie on Pinterest

Rings

(this is not my ring, but one of my bride's)

I really like funky, vintage jewelry and funky chunky pieces like necklaces that make a simple but bold statement, but I RARELY wear any. Right now the only jewelry I have on is my wedding ring. Most days that is the case. I see stuff I like in stores and on other people but when it's time to buy a piece for myself I always pass it up. Why is that? Maybe I'm just not a jewelry person.

One piece I was sure of was my engagement ring. Yes, I picked it out :) I actually originally found an estate piece in one of our favorite antique shops in the Orange Circle- it was from the 1920's but it was amazingly enough white gold (which is what we were looking for, but apparently pretty rare during that time because most were made of platinum). It was an Edwardian setting similar to my ring now, but it had little triangles of sapphire on either side of the gorgeous diamond. It did look quite huge on my abnormally small hands...but oh, I wanted it. The diamond in it was really bad quality and they wouldn't sell the setting alone to us, so we moved on. We ended up finding something I loved almost as much in LA for a much better price. I adore my ring. It's probably my favorite thing I own.

Six months ago I noticed the diamond made a noise if I pushed on it (don't ask me why I was pushing on it...I have no idea) so we took it in and got it reset. I was informed that sleeping with your ring on can make the diamond come loose. I had no idea! I NEVER took my ring off. I wasn't too worried about the diamond coming loose before either because my diamond is set into the setting and not above. Needless to say, I take my ring off before bed every single night now. The last thing I want to do is lose my diamond!

A lot of people get new rings after they've been married for 25 years or 30 years. I don't see myself EVER replacing this ring. It's timeless and perfect for me.

Weekend Photos

The weather was fantastic on saturday so we headed up the canyon for a picnic at the park.

no, i did not take this picture of myself even though my arm is stretched in front of me...it was in a chip bag. i swear.

making clem balance a carrot (her favorite food) on her nose.

we went to riverwoods for some pizza and found that they had nehi peach, my supposed favorite soda, at the toy store. unfortunately it was NOT as good as i remembered. david's sasparilla was WAY better.

Mama's Day

I just wanted to say happy mother's day do our amazing moms. They've done everything for us.

Recently

We randomly happened to be at Cafe Rio the same time as David's cousin and his wife + babe. Maddox was getting his dinner fed to him and had it all over his face. I had to take a pic.

Christiana recently moved up north a bit, so I watched her baby boy Beck while she got some things done.

We went for a walk on our favorite river trail with the pups. It's one of my favorite warm evening activities.

My tomboy outfit

David decided to walk for graduation since he never had before (he graduated early from high school)

David sent me this picture last week of Clementine balancing a hot dog on her nose. I love how her ears go back when she's excited.

a through z.

Some facts about me, just because it's Friday. Yay! That means I get to sleep in and relax. Here's a pic of Clementine when she was a pup. I don't think I've ever posted it on this blog and since her name is mentioned in this post I thought I'd include her.

Source: natalie-david.blogspot.com via Natalie on Pinterest

A. Age: 24

B. Bed size: queen. (best bed ever- simmons beautyrest)

C. Chore you hate: dishes. i'd rather clean toilets.

D. Dogs: Yes, please! clementine the schnauzer.

F. Favorite color: grey. its sophisticated, right?

G. Gold or silver: silver

H. Height: 5’6"

I. Instruments: absolutely none. i'd like to learn the autoharp, tho.

J. Job title: nah

K. Kids: eventually, see previous posts.

L. Live: provo soon to be socal.

M. Mom’s name: Kelly

N. Nicknames: none, really

O. Overnight hospital stays: never

P. Pet peeve: the word 'pet peeve'. it sounds gross.

Q. Quote from a movie: "In vain I have struggled, it will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

R. Right or left handed: Right

S. Siblings: tres

T. Time you wake up: weekdays: 6:12 am

U. Underwear: white

V. Vegetables you dislike: can't think of a single one

W. What makes you run late: snooze

X. X-Rays you’ve had: teeth + stomach

Y. Yummy food you make: everything. i think about food all day long

Z. Zoo- favorite animal: i like the giraffes + elephants.

With The Beatles

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I was born in the wrong decade, and grew up in the wrong decade. Have I ever mentioned that before? I like old fashioned things. Music, movies, clothes...I like getting back to the basics. Homemade cleaning products and cloth diapers.

We're going to talk about the music part today.
What's your favorite band? I have a ton. A TON. My favorite? Always the Beatles.

I've been listening to them my entire life. Thanks to my parents (mostly my Dad) they've been in our home forever. The other day some friends were all talking about bands we liked when we were younger, and someone said, "Come on, you can't tell me you listened to Simon and Garfunkel when you were in middle school." Actually yes, yes I did. Along with the Beatles. And all oldies...and all rock from the 60's and 70's and 80's. And ska. and punk.

Don't get me wrong- I like a lot of modern music too. The Shins are in my top ten favorite bands ever for sure, if not THE best band of recent.

But the Beatles will always have a special place in my heart. Especially George. (Remember how I have a Beatles calendar up on my desk at work and some totally awesome new kid asked me "oh, do you like the Beatles?" I say yes. He says "can you name them all?" i didn't respond. worst. question. ever.) I remember when George died. I was in 10th grade and my seminary teacher happened to also be a lover of the Beatles (Brother Child). We mourned together. Anyway, I love anything Beatles related. When we went to London we HAD to go to Abbey Road. It was amazing! I'll never forget it.

Now that I think about it, I wish I had had a Beatles themed wedding. 1960's style. I'll just have to remember that when someone I know gets married who feels the same way I do about the band, and try to convince them to use all of my ideas...

I guess I should be thankful that I live now. I can pick and choose what I like out of all of the past years.

The Sabbath

Sunday is a special day- a day of relaxation, learning + listening, spending time with family. It's a quiet time. I am not a fan of 'breaking' the sabbath. I like the term 'breaking' because the day is like a clean slate, and if I do something I'm not supposed to, I really picture the slate breaking. There are certain things that I REALLY care about, and this is one of them.

Growing up, my parents were VERY strict about Sunday rules. They became active again in the church when I was about 4 years old, and I think with that activity came true devoutness. What were we allowed to do on Sunday?
Go to church. We were allowed to watch TV- but we couldn't go outside and play with friends. Sometimes we'd go for drives or visit grandparents. It was basically a quiet, relaxing day. (It makes me think of this scripture, one of my faves. Alma 57:21 "Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them."

Once I was a teenager I usually took a nap in the afternoon after church, depending on the time our church was. But I always spent the day with my family- that was my favorite part.

The reason I'm writing this? Moving to Utah has done something to us. We have become relaxed. And I hate it. Everyone struggles with different things. Some people are really good about keeping the sabbath holy, or reading their scriptures, or doing service. Some people have a hard time being modest or keeping their language clean. I used to be so great at so many things, and I feel like those things have faded. So this is me admitting that I need to be better.

"Try a little harder to be a little better." Gordon B. Hinkley