Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve this year was spent at the Benavides house,

and let me tell you--the presents are WAY different from my families!! I was cracking up because all Ben's brothers got shotguns. (SO not something you would see at my house full of girls.)
Well I finally got my new camera :) :) and that made me pretty stinking happy. I also got more scarves (you can never have enough), shopping money, and a new luggage bag. Ben got season 3 and 4 of The Office, shopping money, and money for a new car stereo. So, the pictures we have of Christmas eve are from Ben snapping them randomly with my new camera.

Here is Ben and his youngest brother Mark.
Here is Ben's twin Rick playing with his new gun.
This is Ben's other brother Eric with his new gun and Ben's Dad watching.
Here is Rick again practicing....except his eyes are closed....haha.
So we basically had a fun time at the Benavides house. I have grown to love all of them so much, and I am so glad that we got to spend time with them on Christmas Eve!

mmmk so Christmas pics...

So Christmas Day this year was awesome. We woke up, got ready, and went over to the Shumway house. I had my new camera with me so I took the liberty of taking a million pictures. My Dad also supplied me with a very snazzy tripod so that is why I get to be in the pictures!

This first picture is of Ben and I with the gifts we got. Nicole bought me the "Love Letters" book of Joseph Smith and Emma (which I really wanted) and that awesome scarf I have on; I also got money from my parents. Ben got "Guitar Hero-World Tour" from my parents and a Best Buy gift card from Jeremy. Here is Ben, Me, Roxanne, and Preston posing in the kitchen.
Next are a few Sister Pictures. Aren't we hot?? haha.

We Love Each Other. :)

Here's a nice pic of the whole fam (minus the husbands)! We had a very merry Christmas!

I think the best part about Christmas this year was our service projects we did before Christmas. We all had to choose one service project, and then all of us had to carry it out. It was wonderful time spent together, and I am so grateful for my family. It will be hard to top this Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

More pictures later...cause I took a ton...with my new camera :) :)

Im Free but Megan is not!!

Well, I am officially done with my third semester!!

ONE MORE LEFT!!

I am excited to be able to think about the holidays now and really enjoy Christmas! I am pretty pumped about Christmas, its my favorite, and I pretty much have only been thinking about school lately! (another reason for the posting shortage) So yahoo for that!

My good friend Megan recently got engaged and it was fabulous!! I am glad to have more friend join the 'old married brawd' club. How it happened was so cute! She has an annual Christmas party with her friends and during this years party her man walked in the house dressed as Santa and started handing out gifts. Naturally at first she was creeped out because some random guy walks into her friend's house and all her friends seem to know what is going on but she doesn't! And so she's like "Who is this creepy guy handing out stuff?!" and then he gets on one knee in front of her takes off the beard and asks her to marry him!! SO CUTE! It was so adorable to see! Awww. Here is a picture of them right after he popped the question! (she said yes of course)

And as if that wasn't enough...he had all her friends meet at her house for a surprise party. So when they went over to Megan's house after getting engaged we were all there to surprise her! It was so fun and just freaking cute! I am so happy for Megan! Yay!
Here is all of us nursing school gals

Here is Megan right after being surprised and me in the background looking happy for her.

She kept yelling "These are my friends!! I know you guys!!" haha. love her.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Where else could be better for a crazy rant than my blog?? haha

(random picture of Ben and I) So I must say I am pretty freaking sick of school.

Yah, you guessed it, this is definitely a vent post. haha. Aren't those just lovely??

Well, I am just ready to get on with my life already. I am tired of going to school every single day and of all those obligations that go along with that. Studying, going to a million different places to do clinicals, working on floors I hate, stupid computer programs, so much time!! Now I have made some of the best friends I have ever had in nursing school and that has been wonderful, but I'm ready to have more of a life outside of school. Of course there is that whole 'I know this is what I am supposed to be doing, and I am so grateful for my education (last post)' but a girl can complain right? I'm just over it.
People will say to me "Natalie you only have one semester left! You are almost done so just hang in there." And I figure these people mean to boost my spirits but seriously....I know that I only have one semester left!! Believe me I am counting down the days!! And knowing that doesn't make me less ready to be done. Ya know??
Ok, so school really isn't that bad. I have learned a ton...I'm just ready to be graduated. I have the rest of this week and then two more weeks until this semester is over and the slacking off could not be any worse. haha. I'm hoping Christmas break will rejuvenate me and get me ready to do one more semester. I can almost see the end!! Ok, I'm done complaning...for now.... On to other things...like reading my good book and then sleeping.

The Thanksgiving...

So Thanksgiving was nice this year. Ben and I went to his parents house for an early Thanksgiving and then we went to my parents house for a later Thanksgiving.

At Ben's house we had a really nice time. We all ate and then just sat around and talked. It was really nice having his family all together for once. His brothers are always busy at work or gone whenever Ben and I stop by to visit. So it was nice to see everyone together. It's always funny at Ben's house we are usually laughing.

At my parents house we pretty much did the same thing except during dinner we went around the table like we always do and talk about what we are thankful for. I actually said I was thankful for my education (which is weird because usually I'm complaining about school) and Ben said he was thankful for me. (naturally) haha. I was trying so hard to get a nice picture of all of us in the kitchen, but they just were not having it!! So Roxanne and I just decided to stage our own pictures! I went around posing with people who were working in the kitchen. Now this might not seem funny to you, but Roxanne and I were laughing so hard. I would jump in really fast and try to snap a picture before they shoved me away. Here is what we came up with...

(I'm pretty sure these people are going to kill me for posting these)

So they finally just got so annoyed with us that they decided to just take a nice one with me so I would leave them alone. And it is nice...aren't we cute?

(Nicole had huge heals on and I had flats on so thus the extreme height difference.)

Here's me and Benny. I am thankful for him too :) I also tried to cook a lot this Thanksgiving because I figure I have no idea how the heck to make a Thanksgiving meal so I better start learning now. I even went to my Mom's house the night before and her, Nicole, and I started the cooking early. I even made my own apple pie!
The only sucky part about Thanksgiving this year was we were missing part of our family. Raquel was in Utah and my Dad just had shoulder surgery so he was in a lot of pain and just not feeling well. They are two of my favorite people...and without them there it just wasnt as wonderful. So I pretty much just love my family and I'm so lucky to live here in Lubbock with both of our families! I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving as well!

My Recent Pictures...

So here is what I have been busy doing. These are some of my favorites that I have taken...

Introducing--Gus!!

Ben and I have been looking for a friend for Charlie, and yesterday we came across this guy!

(asleep while I was getting ready for school)

This little guy was found by a couple who live in an apartment and couldn't keep him. He was found with his sister (who they found a home for already) but they hadn't been able to find a home for him. This little doggie is special because he is def, and I think that is why no one wanted him. Well, the couple was going to have to send him to the shelter if someone didn't take him, and then Ben and I found their post on Craig's list! So Ben and I took Charlie over to their house to meet him and they became friends!! Well....actually Ben and I fell in love with him because of his cute little personality, and then later came the friend part. He is the opposite of Charlie--he is calm, and quiet, and well behaved. haha. He isn't necessarily the kind of dog I would have picked out normally but he's cute!

It took us forever to come up with a name and we have changed it many times, but I think we finally decided on Gus. He can't really answer to a name anyways so it just matters as far as us referring to him! He fits in very nicely. Charlie and Gus just entertain each other all day. Because it has been a nice day I have just left our back door open and Charlie and Gus have been running in and out playing. So cute.

(playing outside with his new toy and treat)

The def thing is frustrating at times, but he usually just watches Charlie and does whatever Charlie does. He follows him around. It is also nice when Gus is asleep because I can be as loud as I want and not wake him up! haha. He also has one different looking eye that looks smaller than the other so I dunno about his vision in that eye. We are taking him to the vet tomorow to make sure everything is good so I guess we will see!

Oh Cute Story--

Today while I was at school he somehow got out of his cage and when I came home I was freaking out cause he wasn't in it and I figured the house would be all torn up and there would be poop everywhere. However, I found the house just as I had left it and Gus soundly asleep on our bed. He hadn't done anything bad that whole time he was alone, he just slept! How sweet is that? Charlie destroyed the house last time he got out. Well, anyways, we love Gus and we are glad we saved him and he is a part of our family! Charlie is happy he finally has a friend too! (checking out his new home and friend)

Read this!

Everyone should read this book!! It was probably one of the best books I have ever read! It is a fiction book written along the lines of the book Hosea in the Bible! My friend told me to read it and I was pretty sceptical judging by the title. (I'm not really into the romance novel stuff) But this book is so much more than a book about two people in love. It is one of those books that you read and feel better because of it. Spiritually uplifting as well! I got my Mom to read it and she couldn't put it down. It didn't take her very long at all to finish it!However, the problem with finishing a fantastic book is that you are left trying to get into other books that just aren't as good. I have started 3 other books since this one and can't finish them because I get bored. Any suggestions??

Oh- and thank you everyone for the nice comments about my new hair!! You guys are freaking sweet! They made me feel good. :)

New Hair Picture!

Ok, so here is what my hair looks like now. It was colored that way before I chopped it all off, but I don't think I had any pictures of the new colors before this dramatic cut. At first I was sad, but now I like it a lot. This really isn't the best representation of what the style looks like but o well. You get the point!

Random Stuff!

So we have been pretty busy lately with work and school and such! Nothing really exciting to blog about...just the usual!
I have been taking pictures lately, and I am taking some tomorrow of the wonderful Giffords! So that should be fun! I've been thinking of all these fun ideas and things we can do so hopefully it will all come together! I'm really excited with the response I have gotten from people wanting me to take their pictures! I just really enjoy doing it! It's a fantastic escape from school!
Also, I chopped my hair all off!!! I don't know what to think about it just yet. Everyone at school said they loved it, but you know how that can be. No one wants to be like "Oh you cut your hair? Oh..." They just kinda have to say something nice after acknowledging it! haha. I have pretty much always had a ton of hair so it's weird for me...I hope I come to love it. I just get these ideas and then I have to follow through or it will bug me to death! I'm also always doing something different with my hair. I've been every color. Maybe I'll post a picture of it soon. Not today though...cause dang...not a good day for a picture. haha.
Ben likes his new job a lot. He is already impressing everyone. His new boss was telling him that he is really glad he made the decision to hire Ben and that he definitely made the right choice. Everything is just coming together for him and I'm so proud.
Well, I guess that's all for now! I posted some new pics on my website so check them out!!
-Nat

My Picture Website!

Ok, so I made this new website that has all my photography on it, and I need you to check it out!! I have pretty much posted everything I have done on this blog, but this website will keep it all together and display it. I think it turned out pretty good! Here's a little preview...



The reason I am doing all this is because I really would like to continue on with photography and see what I can do! Right now I don't have the best camera, but if I continue practicing and getting better I am hoping to get a really nice one for Christmas! I have put a lot of thought into this, and I am sure this is something I want to do! (besides the whole nursing school thing, haha) I have had so much fun taking them and editing them, and I can't wait for more opportunities! So, if you would like to help me practice by modeling for me PLEASE let me know! I will definitely appreciate it! Thanks!!

Here is the website:

http://nsbenavides.shutterfly.com/

You can also find a link to the website right under the "about me" section of this blog. Also, keep watching my photography website for new pictures and updates!! Thanks again!

-Nat

Ben and Natalie- High School Musical Style

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My feelings right now...

I feel like I would be so ungrateful if I didn't share my feelings right now. I also feel like sometimes I have a wonderful realization or experience, and it just kinda fades away over time until I don't really think about it anymore or remember those feelings. Therefore I want to document them...

My experiences lately have made me so completely thankful to my Father in Heaven. Over and over again I am blown away by His continuous and watchful care. Every single time I am in need of answers or a blessing I receive an answer. It's just crazy how unconditionally He loves me, and how I can receive comfort and the exact blessing I need at that exact point in my life. People who have no idea what I am going through will answer my prayers through something they say or do, and I know that it is from my Heavenly Father. Wow. I am just so overwhelmed and so very thankful!

There is just no other way to be truly happy but through God and Jesus Christ and following the principles that they have taught and still teach. They know the path to true happiness and what I need to do to get there. I am known individually and my prayers are listened to. That knowledge fills me with peace and gives me the motivation to be a better person :)

YAY BEN!!!

Ben was interviewed Tuesday for a promotion and HE GOT IT!!!
I am soooo proud of Ben and what a hard worker he is! He was up against 4 or 5 other people, and he is also one of the youngest to apply for the job! He has moved up a lot faster in the company than most people, and I am just beaming with pride! Ben has always worked so hard at what he does, and people at work just love him. Ben just impresses everyone! I love him tons. :) :)

Some Pics from Nicole's Party...

So Ben and I went to Nicole's rockin Halloween party and here are some pics of me and Ben and our sweet looking pumpkins!

Here is Ben and I before the carving begins

Aren't we cute?? haha

Here's me getting Preston to do the dirty work! haha

Ben is such a hard worker!

DONE! (It's a ghost, but you could tell that right?)

Here are the finished products! Ben's is a bat.

Oh and seeing how I look major prego in all these pics let me just set the record straight! Not prego- just a massive shirt! K.

Ben and I had a great time at Nicole's party! Check out her blog to see more pics! (shout out)

What I've been reading...

So lately I have been really into reading, and the books that I have been reading are memoirs. It all started when I read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. This book was so interesting I couldn't stop reading it. I was even kinda sad when I got to the end. It is a true story of one woman who grew up in the craziest family with many hard times! It's almost hard to believe that it is a true story because some of the things she lived through were so crazy. Although she had a very rough life she still talks about her parents in such a loving way. Very good book.

I have read a few other memoirs but another one that meant a lot to me was Beautiful Boy by David Sheff. This book is written through a father's point of view who is dealing with his son's drug addiction. I honestly feel that anyone who is ever considering doing drugs should read this book! This book shows the horrible effects that drugs have not only on the person taking them but the whole family! Complete devastation. I cannot even imagine what it must have been like for that father. It does however have a lot of the F word which really annoyed me but other than that it was wonderful!

I am currently reading another memoir and we'll see how that goes. It's hard to find a book that will keep me reading all the way through so these books must be good! I just feel like when I read memoirs I'm not wasting my time. I feel like I learn alot from other people's experiences. Both of these authors' lives are so different from mine, and I think it is eye opening to read about those differences.

Attempt #2

My friend Crystal said she would model for me in my second attempt at taking good pictures. I acutally learned a lot this time, and we had a lot of fun! So thank you Crystal! Here are some....