Family Post #2-Natalie!!!

I realized I have both posted and written an essay about my Dad, but the rest of my family has been neglected! Speaking of neglected, my subject of my post, the photographer of the family, seems to have avoided nearly every picture taken. So, we're taking a brief (and slightly embarrassing) flashback to the early 2000's so that I can have some pictures of Natalie on this blog. Don't worry, Nat. We're both in this humiliation together. (You just don't know about it yet.)

I have creatively titled this one "Mystified Looks and Reading Books"

And this one is dubbed, "Looking Extremely Attractive While Standing By A Tree."

 Don't you think the Pooh tie-dye is attractive? It's coming back any day now, I'm sure.

Back to Natalie and her awesomeness. I said earlier that we're "both in this Humiliation together," and, truth be told, we have been "in it together" for most of our lives.
Here are just a few of our early memories:

• Tying Blaize up to a tree... and then realizing we were better at making knots than we'd previously thought. 
• Playing "Animals" together with our stuffed animals, and naming any new dogs as "Doggy" despite the fact that we had three "Doggys" already.
• Hanging upside down from my top bunk bed to her lower bed to talk as long as we could until the blood rushed to my head.
• Freaking out about the  non-existent monster under the bed
• Day-dreaming about American Girl Dolls

And more recently...

Baking Green Velvet Cake that looked more like Vomit Velvet Cake than green.

Staying up 'till three watching Jane Austin movies

Laughing as we try to complete a karate workout in a small space

Stressing about our Science grades

Talking late into the night

Some things I admire about Natalie are:

• Her willingness to laugh at my less-than-funny jokes
• Her diligence in school and her relationship with God
• Her sweetness to forgive me over and over again
• Her generosity with her money, time, and energy
• Her kindness in making me look really sweet when she talks about me on her blog
• Her ability to make people feel comfortable and special
• Her musical skills... she can harmonize singing way better than I can, and can sound out most tunes on the piano naturally.

A few of Natalie's talents include:

• Photography... hence the reason I have no pictures of her!
• Art... you should see it! I am so amazed at her creativity and eye for detail
• Telling stories... read her blog! It's full of them, and they always make me laugh.
• Cleaning... I'm telling you, her room is immaculate.
•  Remembering details... while I forget things everywhere I go, Natalie is organized and on top of it.
• Decorating... she is re-doing her room, and it looks beautiful! How can you go wrong with aqua and grey chevron?
• Resourcefulness... she can take something totally ordinary and make it useful and pretty!

Things Natalie needs to know about herself:

• She is loved! By friends, family, me, and God!
• She is smart! She gets good grades, is fun conversationalist, and an intelligent friend. She is a critical thinker and she is very detailed.
• She is talented: Natalie, you are so good at so many things! (See above list.) God has given you so many gifts that everyone but you can see!
• She is a BLESSING. My life wouldn't be complete without you, Natalie! You are a loyal friend, a godly example, and the BEST sister. I admire and love you so much!

You are valuable, loved, and talented Natalie. I thank God for YOU!