Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's to our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. (: It's been quite a fabulous one. I'm grateful for Thanksgiving, even though it's the most overlooked holiday ever, because it's a day that gives us a chance to watch football, a day that lets us ooo and ahhh during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and a day that lets us eat lots and lots of good food. And of course it lets us spend quality time with family. 

Happy Thanksgiving from the Green/Coburn clan in San Diego!

My {Extended} Family

November 27: Marrying into Trevor's family (both sides) has taught me a lot of things. I guess the number one thing that I've learned is that it is true what people say: when you get married, you're not only marrying the man/woman, but you're marrying their whole damn family - immediate and extended. This includes all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, step-families, great-aunts, great-uncles, etc. etc. etc. You either learn to like and love people in your new family, or you be miserable your whole married life. Trust me, it's easier just to learn to get along with people. 

However, marrying into an entirely new family has made me so grateful for my own extended family. And by extended family, I mean my mom's side of the family. Long story about my dad's side of the family, but basically we don't talk to them. After my Grandpa died the family kind of fell apart; there were too many big issues in the way (theft, drugs, lying) and too many things that couldn't be fixed. I watched at a young age our family - cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandma who I loved my whole young life - fall apart, and my family chose not to be apart of the drama.  

Anyway. My mom's side of the family is the best. Though we sometimes have our moments of drama, we never let anything come between us. But that's what family does; everyone learns to keep their mouth shut unless there's a really big problem, and accepts and loves those around them. As family you're at least expected to like (or pretend to like) someone, even if you can't claim that you love them. For example, growing up my brother Trevor had a temper the size of or bigger than China. He's caused a lot of scenes, made a lot of rude comments, and was a pain in the ass in his younger years. Obviously Trevor has grown up a lot of the past couple of years, but has my mom's side of the family ostracized him? No. They still love and accept Trevor, and know that his temper is just part of his personality. I was so happy and felt blessed when my family readily accepted my husband into the fold. With my mom's side of the family, we don't get together for birthdays anymore, and since a lot of us cousins are grown up sometimes we only see each other at Christmas. We try to make it a priority to keep to the family traditions, like having a Halloween party, celebrating Thanksgiving the Sunday before, and having the family Christmas Eve party. We are lucky to see each other when we can, and we always make the most out of it. We don't have to see each other all the time to make our family work. My aunt Lori was a great help when it came to decorating for our wedding, and both Lori and aunt Shelly threw me a lovely bridal shower. We are supportive of one another, attending mission farewells, graduations, Eagle Court of Honors, weddings, and anything else that comes with a busy family. When my uncle Mike passed away six years ago, my family became so close as we rallied around Shelly, Chy, and Colt and as we kept the memories of Mike alive. Let's also not forget our summer week-long Lake Powell trips; those make for some good memories and stories.

I guess I never realized how much I really loved and appreciated my extended family, nor grasped how comfortable I am around them, until I married into Trev's family. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore both sides of Trevor's extended family. In fact, I'm grateful to have married into such a wide range of personalities because each individual offers something new to the family dynamic, something that I can learn from. But with my own famiy, I don't have to watch what I say or do; they know who I am and choose not to get offended by my off-handed, not meaning to hurt anyone silly or sarcastic comments. I hope to eventually get to the point of pure comfortableness with Trevor's family, which will come after years of marriage. But for now, here's to my family. They're an easy-going, hardworking, hilarious, educated bunch of people, and I'm so lucky share the same blood as them.

P.S. Here's my birthday shout-out to my cousin Colton who's a mere four months younger than me. We've always been the best of friends since day one. I love you Coltina, and I hope you have a wonderful 21st birthday. Don't get too drunk. ;) Can't wait to see you at Christmas time.

Daddy's Little Girl

November 26: I may not have been a momma's girl growing up, but I was (and still am!) daddy's little angel. I guess that might be because I am the only daughter. Or because I was the first born. Or because I'm just that awesome. ;) Just kidding. I love my dad so much. I am so grateful for my dad. He's the second most important man in my life. (Dad got removed from the #1 spot when Trev came into my life... sorry, Pops.) I don't know a lot of 50 year old custodians who ride bullet bikes, but my dad is one of those guys. He has a great sense of humor, is a kind and patient teacher, is very intelligent about lots of things, taught me how to work hard, loves and accepts my husband (which I thought no man would be good enough for me based on Dad's standards), has always provided the best for his family, came back to the church when I asked him to baptize me when I was eight, will be an awesome grandpa someday (seriously, he loves children), always lends a listening ear and wise advice, and amongst a list of things that could go on for hours, my dad is my hero. I can't imagine life without my dad, and I definitely don't look forward to when that day comes. I love you Dad, and I'm so lucky I get to have you as my dad.

23, 24, 25

November 23: I'm grateful for date nights. Trev might not have a job right now and we are a little tight on money, but we always make date night a priority. When I went to Guatemala in July 2012, I had the opportunity to work with a couple who have been happily married for 35 years. When I asked what their secret to success was, they told me three things: 1) never go to bed mad, 2) communicate, and 3) make date night a priority. The wife told me that their date nights over 35 years was one of the main reasons their marriage had survived for that long. It gives you the chance to escape reality, enjoy your spouse, and do something that isn't typically something you do every night. It allows the chance for muted communication to happen too. With that advice in mind, I told Trevor when we first started dating that we would always go on a date night, whether it be cheap and at home, or fancy and expensive. This past weekend, Trev and I went to the SUU ballroom concert on Friday night and then saw Hunger Games: Catching Fire Saturday night. After the movie, we ordered Chilis to-go, and spent the rest of our Saturday evening together on the couch watching a penguin documentary. (My husband has an obsession with penguins.) It was a lovely and relaxing weekend with my man, and it gave us a chance to breath and think about other things instead of stressing about finances and school. Date nights will always be my favorite night of the week.

November 24: I'm grateful for my love of reading that has carried with me since a young age. When I was a little girl, my dad often found me curled up underneath my comforter with a flashlight and a good book. I would get scolded and the book and flashlight would get taken away, or else I would never go to sleep. I would go to the Lehi City library and check out a stack of 25 books (all over 250 pages) and hammer through them in two weeks. I'm a fast reader but I retain the information and grasp concepts well. My younger brothers don't like reading at all and that breaks my heart. Reading is my escape from the real world, a place where my imagination can run free. Reading is fun! I can't wait to *hopefully* pass on my love of reading to our children.

November 25: We had the chance to work with Trevor's young cousins for one of Trev's class projects. Children are so eager and willing to help adults, and love to give their input on how to make things better. We finished the project thanks to the kids' patience and help. Before we left, Trevor and I started talking with his aunt and my emotions came close to the surface during our conversation. Instead of gawking at me like young children can do, the four York kids went into the living room and made this sweet card for me. They then quietly slipped it to me and walked away. The youngest cousin, Jaylin, climbed up on the kitchen counter and asked me to read the card to her. The card says, "We love you a lot!!! It doesn't matter what anyone thinks of you as long as WE love you! Love Ashlyn, Jasie, Ammon, Jay" I finished reading the card, and the two older girls came into the kitchen and wrapped their arms around my neck and said, "You're like our older sister. We love you, Natasha." It never ceases to amaze me that even though children might not know everything that is going on, and the cousins didn't know why I was being an emotional bawl-baby, but their words hit a sweet spot in my heart. Kids can be so in-tune sometimes. I love hearing spiritual stories about young children. Yes, sometimes kids can be brats; yes, sometimes these cousins drive me crazy, and yes sometimes I want to never be a mother when I see children acting up. But deep down I love children and can't wait to have my own someday. I'm especially grateful for the chance to be a role model and older cousin to the York children. I'll always cherish this sweet card.

Mountain Dew, Skittles, and other goodies.

November 22: Today I'm grateful for caffeine, sugared candies, and salted snacks that keep a girl from going too crazy during this time of the year. Yes, allow me to be a fatty for three weeks, and I promise I'll get through finals. There's just something about comfort food that makes me feel less stressed about life. If I drank alcohol, this would be the time I'd become an alcoholic. If anyone would like to make donations to the "Natasha is trying to survive the end of the semester" fund, I will accept Mountain Dew, Skittles, pizza flavored Pringles, Gardetto's Original Recipe snacks, and cups of easy to make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Please drop donations off on our doorstep. ;)

*Also, my husband loves Mountain Dew and Pepsi, Kit Kats, and sour gummy worms. He too is going to need treats to survive his wife being a stressed out demon, so donations are acceptable for him as well. ;)

OH! And today I'm grateful that it FINALLY snowed last night, and that it's still coming down. I love snow. Snow also makes setting up the Christmas tree in the library more magical. ;) (I'm going to miss setting up the tree next year; it's been my job for the past three years.)

27 years and counting!

Happy anniversary to the best role models and parents a girl could have.

I'm grateful that 27 years ago today my mom and dad got married. 

(Yes, this is my gratitude post of the day) 

In a world that marriage is so easily tossed aside, 

I'm beyond blessed that my parents have worked through it all.

They've had their ups and downs, but at the end of the day they still love each other.

And that, my friends, is what marriage and love and life is all about.

Mom hasn't killed Dad,

and Dad hasn't been driven away by Mom.

(That alone means he's an angel from God, haha. ;))

Thanks Mom and Dad for showing your children what it means to have a good marriage.

To respect each other -

To love each other through thick and thin -

To laugh when you could be crying -

To not giving up.

Here's to many more happy years.

P.S. Their "romantic getaway" this weekend is going to Tremonton, Utah to skin and package turkeys from 6 a.m. till about 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They'll be having a nice dinner at Wendy's and will be staying at the super classy motel in town. Ohhh the things my parents do for my brothers and their FFA/4-H adventures.

Remembering to be grateful, even though life is poop sometimes.

It's been almost a week since my last post, so I've got to catch up on the gratitude thing. This week hasn't been the best week ever; I mean, coming home to Cedar from a sad funeral is one thing, but there's been some family drama, finding out I'm possibly not graduating in May, no jobs for Trev to apply for, we're kind of poor, and school can suck a big ol' fat one. Oh, and it's starting to actually be winter with all that white shit everywhere.

However, (minus Monday because that day was just awful!) I couldn't help but notice how happy and grateful I've been all week even though it's been kind of shitty. I love my husband so, so much and love feeling those warm happy tinglies, I have amazing in-laws, Trev is doing awesome in school, my brother Trevor is coming to visit in two weeks, the weather was semi-decent for a couple of days, I set up the tree in the library for the holiday season, I contacted some old friends to get together for lunch, I started on my massive stack of homework and accomplished quite a bit, and we're going to San Diego in six days. Now, Trevor might have to drag me home from San Diego very unwillingly, but that's okay.

So, without further ado, here is my slacker-catch up on the gratitude challenge.

November 16: I'm grateful for funeral services, as morbid as that sounds. I was absolutely dreading going to Max's funeral, but once we were home and visited Lela, I knew that everything was going to be alright. Funeral services allow loved ones to come together and say goodbye one last time, and to celebrate the life that the person lived. Max's funeral was sad, and the weather throughout the whole service was gloomy, rainy, and depressing. But I was able to wear a boutineer in his honor as a "granddaughter" and got to share memories of him during the service. I actually got to read my blog post that I wrote the day that Max died. Side story: Max has all granddaughters except for three boys, so the girls ended up being his pallbearers. My brothers and I are like Max and Lela's grandkids, so we got to wear boutineers too and participate as much as the actual grandchildren. My poor brothers cried so much that it broke my heart; Max was their buddy. I was grateful for my husband's comforting presence not only for me, but for Tedo. Tedo loves Trevor so, so much. And even though our trip to Lehi was for a sad occasion, we had a good weekend. It was good to introduce Trevor to Max and Lela's kids and grandkids, all of whom I've known my whole life.

 

Holding baby Crew; look at that head of hair!
Gahhh it made me so baby hungry!

 

Nothing better like warming up your tootsies after
being out in the rain all day. 

November 17: I'm grateful that no matter what mood I'm in that Trevor can make me smile and laugh. I had forgotten all about this picture until I started flipping through my hundreds of photos on my computer. This picture captures perfectly our relationship. Sunday night/early early Monday morning was rough. My feelings were hurt about something, I couldn't sleep, and I cried a lot. Trev just held me and buried me into his hairy chest. ;) He stroked my hair and told me how much he loved and appreciated me, that I was the best wife in the world, and that me being me is what made him fall in love with me. I couldn't help but smile at how sincere and cute he was being. He was also making his silly noise that he makes that always gets me to smile. My husband is the only man with the talent to make me smile and laugh even when I'm hurting or when I'm very angry at him, or when I just plain don't feel like being happy. It's one of those little things I love about him. Because if he can make me smile no matter what mood I'm in, that simple smile means to me that everything is going to be alright in the end. It also a gentle poke to the heart, letting me know how much I truly need my husband, how much I love him, and how grateful I am to have his optimistic attitude in my life.

November 18: As I already mentioned, Monday was a rough day. But I'm so grateful for a mother-in-law who called me up and told me that everything was going to be okay, that I'm a great person, and that she loved me. Michelle is an amazing woman, and I love her so much. I'm blessed to at least have a decent relationship with her. Someone once told me that the hardest relationship isn't between husband and wife; it's the relationship between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law. Gee whiz, if I would've married the guys I dated before Trev, their moms were nightmares. Some of my friends have nightmare mother-in-laws, and I feel bad for them. Somehow I lucked out in the mother-in-law department.

Takin' off her heels at our wedding.
In a lot of our reception pictures, her heels are in the background. ;)

November 19: I'm grateful for my Communication major friends that I've made within my program. I don't think being a Comm. major would be as fun without these girls. I've known Jess and Lexi for 2 1/2 years, and Becca almost a year. We were kind of the lone wolves left behind when all of our Comm. friends graduated this past May. Seriously though, everyone abandoned us and left us to be the senior smart people. ;) We've stuck together through some of our classes this semester, and there is light at the end of the tunnel as the semester draws to a close. Besides my husband, these are three people who have kept me sane this semester. We've been working on the President's Gala together, a big donor event on campus, and I know that without them and their hardwork and brainpower, the gala would probably suck. It's happening on December 3 and even though there is still a lot left to do, I know that we can do it. These girls are smart, know what they're doing, and don't hesitate to jump right into a project. These are the people I'm going to miss when I *possibly* graduate in May.

L-R: Lexi, me, Jessica, and Becca

November 20: I'm grateful for the nights I get to spend with my husband, even if it is spent doing homework on opposite couches. Some wives have husbands in the military. Some wives have husbands that work long hours or are at school till late at night. Some wives don't see their husbands that often because they work out of town. My husband is always right here with me. Sometimes he works late with catering and I feel kind of bitter, but I know how blessed that I am and that these are the days to soak up. When we both have "real world jobs" and obnoxious children running around, we're going to miss these nights.

it's not perfect, but it's perfect for me.

I have a history of being a closet romantic and a cheesy blog writer - so why stop now?

And ya know what? 

I am really, really, REALLY lucky to be married to my best friend, 

and to have the relationship that we have.

I've decided to stop comparing my marriage/relationship to other marriages/relationships (even though it can be really hard). I can't tell you how many times I get looking at social media and then I start asking Trev, "Are we as cute as this couple?" or "Are we as in love as this couple?" or "They do fun stuff all the time - all we do is watch Netflix" and so on and so on. What if mine and Trev's relationship isn't that perfect? Are we doing something that is going to set us up for *gasp* failure? Sometimes I get jealous of other wives who seem to have it all together: a husband who says cute things about them on Facebook, a husband who surprises them with getaways and flowers daily, a husband who leaves cute notes all over the house. I mean, Trevor is GREAT and I love him SO much and he does such cute stuff for me (occasionally), but it's easy to look and want more. And there's pressure as a wife to make the house cute, to cook your husband delicious meals nightly, and to create fun date nights like the Dating Divas talk about on their blog. But, as my dear husband has been trying to tell me for months, everyone's relationship is different. Each relationship has something different that makes it tick and makes it tock. For example, our dear friends Tyler and Shannon are constantly participating in some form of PDA (which is fine!). I panic sometimes because I don't like PDA and acting like that with my husband in public because it makes me feel uncomfortable. I'm okay with holding my Trev's hand and an occasional kiss and hug here and there, but that's about it. It's okay though, because that's our relationship, and we're different than Tyler and Shannon. 

Shocker, kids! No one's going to get on Facebook and say, "Gosh I hate my husband tonight! He clipped his toenails on our bed and left the clippings laying there!" (Cough cough, Trevor Sean Green! ;)) That's just not what you do, because that would be admitting that your relationship isn't picture perfect. Just because someone posts on social media that their husband is amazing because he sent her flowers or the husband posts a cute picture on Instagram telling his wife he loves her, or a couple takes the cutest-romanticest pictures etc. etc. doesn't mean their relationship is perfect.  Everything you see on my Facebook, my Instagram and what you read about on my blog doesn't mean my relationship with Trevor is perfect either. I'm just as guilty as posting cheesy statuses and pictures for people to look at to say, "Look at me, look at us, look at how great my marriage is!" 

No matter how people try to dispute it, no one's relationship is completely 

perfect no matter what you see on Facebook/Instagram/blogs/etc.,

 and every relationship has its ups and downs.

(My boss once compared marriage to laying on a bed of nails over and over again, haha.)

Here's the fun thing though: my relationship with Trevor is perfect to me, and his relationship with me is perfect to him. Every relationship is perfect to the couple because it's what works for them. No Trevor doesn't post to Instagram that I'm his #womancrushwednesday or #wcw, no Trevor doesn't buy me flowers once a week, and no, Trevor doesn't have money to buy me new things to surprise me. But he does so many other things and it's about time I appreciate those little things. Trevor always helps me clean, and often times I will come home and he's cleaned the apartment by himself. Trevor is such a blessing when I'm on my period, running around heating up my corn pack, giving me yummy treats, and buying me tampons. Trevor is a damn good breakfast cook. Trevor always kisses my cheeks, nose, and forehead. Trev never forgets to tell me how much he loves me. And that's just a small list of the little things that Trevor does for me! It's time for all of us women out there stop looking at Facebook and Instagram and focus only on the little things our husbands do for us here and now, instead of what other husbands do for their wives.

It's time to stop comparing and worrying, and time to start living and loving my husband in my own way, and be grateful (yes, this is my gratitude post of the day) for the amazing husband and relationship that I do have.

And p.s., no matter how many times it's pinned and repinned on Pinterest, I am not going to do a themed date night anytime soon, Dating Divas. We love our weekly movie-and-dinner dates. So HA.

To the man who I'll never meet.

What an odd title for a post, right?

November 14: It's just been one of those weeks, I guess; you know, that week that only rolls around after someone has died that makes you stop and think about life and makes you feel grateful for those who are still here, and remember those who have passed. As Trevor and I went to go and get our laundry from the laundry room tonight, we noticed a little family walking to their car. The father was holding the little boy who was eagerly pointing up at the stars saying, "Look! Look!" in an excited voice. The father was laughing and said, "Yes son, isn't it beautiful?" I couldn't help but get little tingles of excitement as I watched Trevor's face as he watched this little moment between father and son. Trevor's biggest goal in life - besides marrying an awesome wife, which we all know he accomplished ;) - is to be a dad. No, we can't afford having children right now and no, we're not ready for them, but someday when we have kids I know that Trevor is going to put his heart and soul into being a father. And I can't help but be grateful today for the man who planted in Trev's brain at a young age that being a father is the most important thing a man could do.

As most of you know, Trevor's dad was killed in a helicopter crash February 28, 2001. Robert was a pilot for St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, and was out on a routine maintenance flight when the helicopter crashed into an open field. Trev was almost eight years old and living with his mom and Aubrey in Cedar City. Now, I don't know about all of you, but I don't remember a lot about my time as an eight year old. Trevor on the other hand has a fantastic memory (I'm not kidding you, he remembers the weirdest stuff sometimes!) and even though it's been 13 years since his dad's death, Trevor still has a clear image of his dad and special memories that he shared with Robert. He might not be able to remember the little things, like what his dad's voice sounded like or what he smelled like (all dads have a particular smell, I'm telling you!) but he remembers playing hide and seek with his dad and his brothers and sister, and Robert ended up hiding in Grandma's tree. Trevor remembers his dad getting down on all fours to play with him. Trevor remembers how fun his dad was to be around, even if sometimes he had a temper. Trevor remembers going to the movies with his dad, and now each one of those movies that they saw together are special to my husband. Trevor remembers a lot of things about his dad, but most of all he remembers how his dad loved each and every one of his kids, and how they were his pride and joy. Being a good father was important to Robert, and that's something he instilled in Trevor, even at the age of eight.

 

Robert, Trevor, and Grandma Green-Wade in Colorado with Robert's helicopter

Sometimes I like to imagine what it would be like today if Robert was still here. I try to think about what kind of childhood Trevor would have had. Would he still have turned out to be the big teddy bear of a man that I fell in love with, or more like his older brothers? Would Robert have liked me? Would he live here, in Cedar City, maybe remarried, and would he be a good grandpa? I drive Trev nuts with these "what if" questions, but sometimes a girl gets curious! I am so thankful for the pictures that we do have of Robert, and of Robert and Trevor, and the small trinkets we have. Grandma Wade gave us Robert's tie tac, which is now fondly sitting next to a picture of him. Even though I never got a chance to meet him, and won't get a chance to meet him until I'm dead and gone, I'm grateful for the man who taught my husband to be a good father someday. Because that, my friends, is something that all men don't truly understand and appreciate.

Sweet husband and his sweet sister

I forgot to mention yesterday how loving and great my husband is (most of the time).

For several years now, *things are about to get real personal real fast* my periods have been getting worse. They've been heavier, they've been more painful, and they've been downright awful. Doctors are pretty 99.1% sure that I have endometriosis like my mom did. I have the lovely Mirena IUD birth control which has helped me some, but I still hate life about once a month for a happy seven days. And this week has been worse than usual. On top of the cramps, the constant flow of joy, and the crazy hormone swings, I have been physically ill to the point that I haven't wanted to do anything and nothing made me feel better. Well, yesterday rolled around and I realized I was out of tampons and I asked Trevor to go and get me more. Most men would balk at my request, but Trev asked me what kind I wanted and what class I would be in so he could bring me some. He showed up outside of my class with four tampons shoved in his pocket and a 44 ounce Mountain Dew. I never thought I would marry a man who was so selfless and thoughtful, and who loved his wife so much that he would sacrifice his man card in Wal-Mart to purchase me tampons. I don't know what I did to deserve him, and sometimes I feel like I can never repay him for how unconditionally loving, patient, kind, and true he is to me.

Anyway, today November 13 I am grateful for my sister-in-law, Aubrey! Aubrey is officially my first and only sister (for now at least, until Zach and Cameron get married and give me another sister! ;)), and I love her to death. She wasn't too fond of me when I first started dating her little brother, and with good reason. I was the first girl Trevor had ever officially dated, and she had always been worried that girls who dated Trevor wouldn't see his full worth and take him for granted. Lucky for her, I fell head over heels in love for the man, and now here we are. Aubrey and Trevor have been BFF since day one it seems. When I first started dating Trevor, he lived with Aubrey after her husband of three weeks left for boot camp. I got to know Aubrey pretty well last summer, and I had the chance to watch Aubrey and Trevor's relationship. If everyone could have as good of relationship with their siblings as Aubs and Trev do, the world would be a much happier place. Trevie and Aubs are just two years apart, so they did everything together. There are so many great pictures of Aubrey and Trevor, and they just go well together. In fact, the first time I ever saw Aubrey, she was walking out of Trevor's apartment and I thought she was his girlfriend. I was so jealous!

Aubrey has helped me and taught me in so many different ways. Without Aubrey, I wouldn't have had pictures of mine and Trevor's engagement. Without Aubrey, I don't think Trevor would be such a good communicator and in tune with my needs. Without Aubrey, Trevor wouldn't be as photogenic as he is. Without Aubrey, my anxiety would have reached destructive levels. Like her brother, she has a heart of gold and loves everyone. She might not be as optimistic as Trevor is, but she has a smile on her face and enjoys life. She goes to the beat of her own drum. We are definitely two very different personalities, but we get along. I hope that down the road we will still be good friends. I love her and her husband Chase, and can't wait for Trev and I to go and visit them in Monterrey, California over spring break in March.

June 2012: Snowcones and Groovefest

July 2012: Going up to Grandpa and Grandma Wade's cabin

July 2012: My birthday! We were an image of pink. 

After our proposal in December 2012

Aubrey and her Trevie

Love my sister-in-law!

Mom.

We all knew this post was coming, but I especially mean it today.

November 12: (P.S. it's 11/12/13, guys! How cool is that?) I am grateful for the woman I get to call Mom. 

This was the Mother's Day tribute I made for her this year. (:

Unlike some of my friends growing up, my mom and I haven't always been friends. We've never had that great mother-daughter relationship. We didn't dedicate some of our Saturdays to mommy-daughter days. We didn't wear each other's clothes (partially because I've always been bigger than my mom - I was blessed with my dad's body structure, unfortunately). We did not get along most of the time. I never was deemed "Mommy's Little Angel." In fact, there was a lot of times in junior high and high school that I didn't like my mom one little bit. She was "mean" to me, we were always yelling at each other, she wanted things to be her way or it was the highway, blah, blah, blah, blah. I told myself all the time growing up that I did NOT want to end up like my mother, so much so that I punched a kid right in the face in 6th grade because he kept calling me Tina. I have the scar to prove it. ;)

Mom and I, my junior year of high school

My senior year, our relationship started to get a lot better. When I graduated and got out of the house, I found that mine and my mom's relationship has gotten 85% better. I could call and talk to my mom for hours about school, work, things that were troubling me, boys and she would listen and give good advice. This wasn't something that we did when I was in high school, because I didn't want to talk to her about my problems and think I was immature or stupid. I was really, really good at keeping my parents out of my love life.

My oh my, how things have changed. My relationship with my mom is 100% better than what I ever thought it could be. Yes, we still get snappy and snarky with each other sometimes, but that's because we are so much the same. Mom and I are two peas in a pod, even though I'm definitely the bigger pea. I've been out of the house for four years now and my mom has been one of the biggest blessings in my life, especially now that I'm married. Our wedding would not have happened without my mom's help. She jumped right in and helped me with bridesmaid outfits, reception decor, picking out the perfect dress... everything had my mom's helping hand behind it. She wasn't pushy about it either like I thought she would be. Some of my friends who have gotten married told me horror stories about their mother and mother-in-law trying to take over the wedding. That's what I was prepared for my mom to be like, because she tends to have a very dominant and controlling personality (like me). Instead my mom helped me plan my dream wedding. She loves my husband and puts up with his sometimes absentmindlessness. She lets me call her daily to ask her questions about cooking, because I refused to learn to cook growing up. Sometimes the stove still scares me, but Mom is helping me from 300 miles away be a good cook. Mom taught me how to work hard and take shit from no-one, and that's one of the main reasons why I've had such success in my life. I know that when I start having our children, my mom is going to be such a great support system because she's already been through it.

Always nose to nose on a lot of things.

For probably the first time in my life, I'm okay with growing up to be exactly like my mom. Everyone told me that as soon as I got out of the house, or even when I got married that my mom would become one of my best friends. I didn't believe them then, but I believe them now. I'm grateful for all of our ups and our downs, long phone conversations, and everything in between. Mom is a loving, supportive wife, a great mother, a friend to many, and goes above and beyond what she needs to do in life. My mom gave me a lot of opportunities as a child that other kids didn't have. Sure, my mom has an attitude bigger than the country of Russia and a temper that can flare easily, and sometimes she can be really intimidating to strangers. But if I can be half the woman my mom is, then that's fine by me. Love you, Mom.

I missed my calling in life, apparently.

Happy Veteran's Day to all those members of each branch of the military who have served and fought for this great country. I'm grateful for each and every one of you, and don't know where this country would be without your service. Trev and I are expecting a drunken phone call tonight from his army veteran brother, Cameron, who served in Afghanistan a couple of years ago. His memories still haunt him to this day, but he's proud to have served his country. There's no one else that I know with some much patriotism for his country than Cameron.

Anyway. As much as I'm grateful for those who have protected my rights and freedoms as an American, today (November 11) I'm grateful for my ability to write. I have always been able to formulate words and ideas, and I've never struggled with writing assignments. It's my talent and my gift. My math skills on the other hand... gag. Trevor thinks that I missed my calling in life and tells me all the time that I should have been an English teacher or a creative writing instructor. I laugh in his face because there's no money in that line of work anyway. Plus I get to write as a PR/Comm. Studies major, so I know that I'm in the right line of work. (: I watch Trev struggle with writing papers for his classes, and most times I end up assisting him in one way or another - either correcting and adding to his paper, or *cough* sometimes I do them for him, because I can usually whip out a two or three page paper in an hour. I wish that everyone had the ability to write as efficiently and quickly as I do while still getting good grades on the assignments. I might not think I'm the best writer in the world, but it never fails to make me smile when a professor compliments me on my work. Ellen Treanor, my PR professor, always tells me that she loves my style of writing. That's enough to make a girl feel good. Here's to more last minute writing assignments as the semester starts to draw to a close.

As a side note, it is definitely not my husband's calling in life to be an artist. He has to write and illustrate a children's story about something dealing with multicultural education. Here was the scene last night as he worked on his story:

His stick figure drawings are just... uh... beautiful! ;)

Love you, Max

You know those phone calls you never want to get?
Yeah. We got one of those last night at 12:50 a.m. Hearing your mom say, "Natasha Lyn" in a quivering voice on the other end makes a girl's heart sink.
My sweet neighbor Max, who has been my neighbor my whole life, who has been more of a grandpa to me than anyone else, the man who never failed to tell me how beautiful and special I was and how much he loved me, the one who told me just a few weeks ago that "Marriage isn't easy but with him, (meaning Trevor) no matter how much he frustrates you, it'll be worth it" passed away after battling his health for years.
I had just talked to my mom yesterday afternoon and she told me that Max wasn't doing well, and that when we came up for Christmas Trev and I would have to go and visit him and Lela.
Crazy how fast things can change in a mere twelve hours.
So today, November 10, even though I have a heavy heart and mind and my eyes are full of tears, I am grateful to have grown up with Max and Lela as my adopted grandparents and next door neighbors.
Max and Lela have been the best grandparents a girl could ask for; they always came to everything, whether it be theatrical performances, Christmas, birthday parties, my wedding, etc.
They always told us we were their grandchildren, even though they had plenty of their own blood grandchildren.
We were just always there, always treating them like our grandparents. It's simple to love them.
I'm grateful for the lessons that these two wonderful people have taught me.
I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to get to know Max, to love him as my grandpa, and to help him out when he started getting older.
I'm grateful for the hours I got to spend with them either talking, playing dominos or cards, or spending nights with them when my family ditched me and went to Disneyland.
I may not have gone on as many Arctic Circle runs with them as my brothers have, but I can't ever look at Arctic Circle without thinking of Max and Lela.
I'm grateful that I have wedding pictures with him in them that I will be able to cherish for years to come, as well as other pictures my mom has taken over the years.
I'm grateful that he was able to meet my husband Trevor and begin to know Trevor, and know that his "young lady" was going to be taken care of for the rest of her life.
I'm grateful for the memories that my younger brothers had with Max. They loved him as much or even more than I did. Often times, if the boys weren't in the yard playing or doing chores, they would be over at Max and Lela's talking. They were always doing stuff for Max and Lela, serving them and making sure the yard, the garbage cans, and other things were taken care of. Tedo would walk home from the bus stop every day after school and would either call Lela to tell her he was home, or Max would be outside waiting for Tedo to walk by.
I'm grateful for the positive example that Max and Lela's marriage is to me, and will continue to be. They've been married for over sixty years, and even though I could often hear Lela yelling at Max for doing something dumb growing up, I know how much they love and appreciated each other. Lela served Max right up until he passed away last night. Max told Trev and I to "never go to bed mad."

My Grandma Laura helping Max with his boutineer.

Hugs from Max after the ceremony

Love my Max.

My parents with Max and Lela

My grandparents.

Max and Lela with their beloved "grandchildren."

I'm grateful that Lela is still here with us, and that I know Max will be watching out for all of us.
I love you Max, and I'm so sorry I didn't get to tell you that one more time. Going home isn't going to be the same without knowing you're right next door. Thanks for all of the memories and countless love throughout the years. I'm going to miss you.