Our Summer's Highlight ~Spending a Week with Family ~Our Time at Home ~On the Fourth Morning We Said Goodbye #The Empty Nest

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Our goal of parenting...

to grow the roots of responsibility 

and the wings of independence.

And their responsibilities were calling...

It was time to pack their bags 

and return to their jobs, their own homes.

Hubby and I prepared a quick brunch of 

Eggs and Homemade Muffins.

Their rental car was loaded...

...and our travelers were ready for their trip back to the cities.

Then, the nest was empty again.

Our time together went so fast,

but we cherished every moment we had together.

Those of you that are Empty Nesters can relate

 to the conflicting emotions...

It is hard to explain how 

we can be so happy and sad all at the same time?!

Life does prepare us gradually.

First day of daycare...

First day of school...

Last day of school...

Graduation...

Going away to college.

First steps...

First car...

First boyfriend...

Prom...

Wedding day.

I guess what makes me a little sad is that the memories 

of their time growing up at home are fading.

Maybe we were busy with our own career jobs,

making meals and doing laundry,

and keeping everyone on schedule

with homework and activities.

What makes me happy is so much bigger!

They are married...

married to men that we love like they are our own sons.

They have great jobs and nice homes.

The goal of parenting 

is to work yourself out of a job.

We are proud of you four

and the life you have made for yourselves.

Take care,

~Natalie

National Sibling Day ~Siblings are a Blessing ~Being an Only Child ~And A Special Sister Bond

According to my Facebook Newsfeed it is

National Sibling Day.

I really have enjoyed seeing all of your photos.

I grew up an Only Child.

Oh, how I wanted a sister or a brother.

As a little girl, I cried about it to my mother,

and I'm sure her heart was breaking too.

When I was older I learned about her struggle with pregnancy.

She had lost four babies to miscarriage.

Then my sister Twila...

She arrived early and lived for only 24 hours.

My Aunty Vivian held her and told me she was the prettiest baby.

My parents both came from large families.

I enjoyed the the companionship of many cousins.

Siblings provide

* Socialization

* Companionship

* Emotional Support 

I always knew that if we were blessed to be parents,

we would want to have more than one baby.

My heart overflows with happiness 

that these two share that Special Sister Bond.

Hug your siblings tight.

Take care,

~Natalie

Wedding Week ~Beautiful Ceremony ~~Saturday...The Main Event #hubertpartyof2

All of a sudden, it was Saturday afternoon...

the real reason every one was here.

I appreciate all of your sweet comments this week.

I also know you are all awaiting wedding photos.

Outdoors, the heat index was 105 degrees.

Indoors...Air Conditioning.

I am so thankful that other's were taking photos during this part of the day,

as I was running around taking care of everyone's needs,

like a typical mother of the bride.

The photographer was already at the church when we arrived,

so the girls quickly got into their dresses.

The Bride's sister touched up her make-up 

and her new sisters helped position her veil.

It was a beautiful ceremony...

with scriptures and a message for the bride and groom.

They exchanged vows that they wrote themselves.

And then they lit the traditional Unity Candle.

The ceremony was lovely.

I can't wait to see what the professional photographer captured.

And then we were swept away to the reception.

Stay tuned for more.

Take care,

~Natalie

Wedding Week ~Rehearsal and Dinner ~~Friday was my Favorite Day #hubertpartyof 2

After the Bridal Brunch and Bubbly,

we delivered two vehicles full of wedding decor to the reception venue.

And then a quick stop at the Bridal Shop to pick up the altered gown.

We made it to the church with a minute to spare.

All the family gathered here for prayer and

wedding instructions!

As the MOB, I thoroughly enjoyed this...

listening to the ceremony without stress.

The groom's family collaborated with this presentation of a 

Jar full of Marital Tips.

I hope the newlyweds share some of that advice!

The Matron of Honor and Head Usher opened their gifts.

The Shrimp Scampi was delicious. 

Hubby's band played some funky jazz.

Family photos taken...

And here is Emily with her new siblings, nieces and nephews.

As the night went on, more and more hometown friends,

and out of town guests joined our family gathering.

It was a wonderful Wedding Celebration.

Take care,

~Natalie

Hubby's Birthday Celebration

We are blessed to have these good friends in our lives.

Thank you, all, for gathering to celebrate Scott's special day.

Here's to many more years of friendship, good food and great converstions...

sharing the frustrations and accomplishments,

the tears and the joys along life's journey.

Take care,

~Natalie

A Girls Weekend & Girlfriend Birthday Giveaway Winner

Our girls were home for the weekend.

The main event was their dad's college band reunion.

(Those pictures deserve a blog post of their own)

While dad was busy with set up and rehearsal...

We had some special girl time of our own.

Emily had planned a little bachelorette party for her big sister...

You see, the next time we are all together,

Amy and Nick are getting married!

Mmmm...Mimosas...

Champagne with a splash of Orange Juice.

Grandma met us for lunch...

Next stop...Pedicures!

The girls treated me too, my birthday gift.

Thank you so much.

I loved the pampering!

And don't worry...

we still had time to choose my birthday giveaway winner.

 

Congratulations to Robin of the Primitive Hutch.

(I will need your mailing address asap)

Be sure to stop over and sign up for her birthday giveaway!

I cannot say how much I appreciate my girlfriends...

those in person...and those online.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. Stay tuned for pictures from the

Precious Cargo Reunion Concert.

Have a Wonderful Weekend.

Spend time with someone you love!

Take care,

~Natalie

My Classroom

Would you like to see my classroom? Our High School is only 4 years old. We all feel very lucky to have such a nice facility. I spend over half of my day in this room. I cannot show pictures of students unless I have parent permission signatures, etc. I understand why, but at the same time, about 98% of the kids have pictures on Facebook! They all laughed when I told them I needed permission forms to have their pictures on my school web page!!
There are 30 desks arranged semi-circle fashion. I love this arrangement. It makes for great group discussions. I refer to the desks as the inner circle and the outer circle...Some of my classes have up to 33 students, but there are usually some absent. If everyone is there, I run next door and grab more desks.
In the center of the semi-circle is the open area that I call my "fish bowl". I move around in this area to teach, and invite speakers and students to the "fishbowl" to present!!


This is the far corner of the room, by my desk. I like it here, because I have a view of the whole room and of anyone who may be coming in my door. I wanted you to see my cords. There are 5 for my laptop alone. Between that and my phone, my desk looks like a tangled mess!

When students are in my room, it is rare for me to be at my desk. Call me old-fashioned, but my philosophy is to be up, moving around, facilitating learning, interacting with the students. Anyway, this is the view from my corner. I stand back here when I take attendance on my computer, etc.

This term I am teaching a course called Personal Development. This week we have talked about "Knowing Yourself" and how that helps you with life decisions...education, careers, life partners..

...also knowing about the different personality types helps you get along better with others...helps you tolerate individual differences, helps reduce conflict at work, helps relationships with siblings, roommates, and in groups of friends. We've had some good discussions just in the last few days!