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25 Random things about Natalie

This is from a Facebook thing I did a while back.

25 Random things about me

Thursday, March 5, 2009
1. I have only said "I love you" in the oo la la way to one
person-Yes, it's Chad
2. I set my alarm clock for weird times, like 6:42 instead
of 6:45
3. I enjoy watching my kids play charades
4. Things have to be even, like if I step on a crack with one
foot, I go out of my way to step on a crack with the
other foot. Not Always, but a lot of the time.
5. I enjoy jazz, and 50's and 60's music
6. I love shows that are blatantly politically incorrect-30
Rock, Sons and Daughters (That was only on for half a
season) It was HILARIOUS
7. I don't like Oprah
8. I make lists
9. It took me almost two weeks to come up with 25 things
for this. I have had a running list in my planner
10. I hope to adopt soon, but am being patient, waiting for
the right child and situation
11. My husband is honestly my best friend. I use to think it
was weird when people said that. He is the one I want
to call all of the time. He's the one I can have fun with
doing ANYTHING.
12. I wish Stephanie lived closer
13. I wish Bud lived closer
14. Tearing off perforated edges is exciting.-especially on
tortilla bags or cheese bags
15. I had an old stalker try to add me as his friend on
Facebook-C'mon!!
16. We almost always have cookies or some other treat at
the house bec. that is my favorite thing to bake. AND my
favorite thing to eat.
17. I enjoy photography-I really like to take pictures of my
kids, when they aren't trying to pose
18. I enjoyed working as a dental assistant and look
forward to when that will fit into my life again
19. I rarely drink pop
20. My first kiss wasn't until I was 18
21. I enjoy leisurely bike riding
22. I don't care for pets
23. Beto's has the BEST Mexican food-I have found nothing
that compares to it
24. I don't like mountains
25. I am going to Italy in 2 months and am super excited
and super apprehensive!!!!!

Chad's Childhood Memories:

Most of my childhood was spent in a house in Sandy, Utah that used to have a field behind it. We would always play in the nearby ditches or pond. Often we would find ourselves knee deep in mud and my mother would have to spray us off with the hose.
There was a pond fed by a natural spring. Around the spring was watercress which was teaming with fresh water shrimp. We often would catch the shrimp and put them into a fish tank.
There was a ditch directly behind the house. Since the backyard was enclosed by chain link fence, we would have to climb the fence and jump off over the ditch. In the spring the ditch would be cleaned and we would float down it. Because it was cement, we sure got banged up but it was fun. With it being cleaned each year, there were rocks that lined the side. We had fun tipping over the rocks and looking for snakes. One year, I must have caught over 25 in one day.
The field usually had cows. We would throw rocks or otherwise pester the cows and just laugh as they ran. Sometimes, while walking through the field, we would pick up the cow pies and throw them like Frisbees.

We always had animals and other creatures. These included: snakes, dogs, ducks, rabbits, lizard, fish, spiders, praying mantises, grasshoppers, turtles, mice, rats, guinea pigs, frogs, toads, pigeons, a cat, and crabs.

NATALIE'S UPBRINGING
When I was growing up, we didn't have much money. We didn't take many vacations-and when we did, we usually had to stay with friends or family to be able to afford the trip. I remember staying in a hotel with my aunt and uncle when I was 10 and I thought they must be rich to be able to afford the Holiday Inn. There were five kids and we each had many chores. We raised chickens for the eggs and then eating the chickens. The kids were in charge of feeding the chickens, gathering eggs and helping with the plucking and butchering. We had to burn the trash, feed pets, clean house and work in the yard and garden. My dad is the hardest worker I know, and he instilled a good work ethic in each of his children. I had to get a job at 13 to pay for the things that I wanted. If we were involved with sports, we had to pay for shoes or other equipment that we needed. In our home, my parents had an addition put on by builders, but they did all the finishing work. The family room that was added on didn't have carpet for about four years because they couldn't afford it. I learned how to spend money wisely from my parents. My mother is the queen of sale shopping. Even though we didn't have much money, our home was always clean and looked nice, even with the gold and brown couch we had, and we usually had new clothes that my mom found on sale at department stores. We didn't only work. My grandparents had a camper at a campground that they stayed at all summer. We spent a ton of time there. It was great to go swimming and fishing with our cousins. We played on summer sports teams and were involved with school sports. We played lots of board games as a family. I may sound like a total hick from my upbringing, but I don't think people see me as that. I love to shop at the mall and I'm very fashion conscious. I love big earrings and always wear jewelry. I like museums and enjoy visiting Chicago as often as possible. Even though Chad and I are blessed financially, I am able to get the most for our money because of what my parents taught me.

We feel that adoption is from God. It's so great that there is a way provided for those who don't feel that they are ready to be parents, to be able to still make sure their child is raised by people that they trust. Placing a child for adoption probably isn't something that you expected to do, but things happen. And we are so glad that Heavenly Father has provided a way for you to deal with your situation. Infertility is an issue for many adoptive couples, and it's just great that they are able to blessed with a child, even though they cannot become pregnant. Even though there are struggles, especially at first for birth parents, it does seem to end up working out so great for everyone involved.