A Look Back and A Look Ahead...

It's the last day of 2008 and I sit here to reflect on everything that has happened this past year...

We're all another year older. Alexis and Austin are five and two respectively and never fail to show me the meaning of unconditional love. Mom and Dad are loving retirement and the thrill that comes with not having to have every day planned out. Volunteering to help with Vacation Bible School this past year has lead to all of us becoming more active in our church. It's such a great feeling knowing Alexis and Austin will grow in that church the same way Kimberly and I did, with many of the same people there to love and lead them.

I've reconnected with old friends, let some friends go, and treasured even more the ones that have stuck around through everything. The circle has grown as families have grown and it's great to be able to see.

I'm continuously being taught what faith really is as I continue to pray for the job God has for me, and continuously pray that God will allow the dreams He has put within me to come to pass. I'm in awe as God reveals new dreams, new doors to knock on, and new chances to make an impact on the lives of others.

I'm thankfully daily for "The Dempsey Difference" as it continues to influence how I live my life and allow me to be more open with others as I share my story in the hopes that I can help someone else the way he has helped me.

As I look ahead to 2009, I'm extremely hopeful that a job will come, that my church will find a pastor, that my family will remain healthy, that there won't be an actors strike, that our economy will improve, and maybe...just maybe that elusive dream of meeting Patrick Dempsey in person will happen this year.

I have nothing but hope for the coming year! I pray and expect God to reveal Himself to all of us in new ways this year, and I really believe some incredible things are in store!

I pray that all of you had a wonderful 2008 and that 2009 is one that holds more blessings than you ever thought possible. I pray that you seek God EXPECTING to find Him!

Happy New Year everybody! Amazing times are ahead in 2009........Just breathe and believe!

Love you guys,

Natalie :)

Movie Review: Seven Pounds

Just got in from seeing Seven Pounds. Will Smith was awesome in the movie, as usual (big Will Smith fan). It takes awhile to figure out what's going on, but once I figured out where all of it was leading, it felt as it I'd just swallowed a glass full of ice cubes and I found myself hoping that by some stretch, I'd be wrong. As the movie progresses however, it becomes pretty clear what the intention is of Will Smith's character. It's one of those cold chills type moments after you piece everything together.

Tom Cruise's son Conner makes an appearance in the movie as a young Will Smith.

As for what I said in my previous post about Patrick Dempsey being in the role...Let's just say, IF he had been I would have bawled like a baby. I told Mom they would've had to carry me out on a stretcher.

For me, the Will Smith factor keeps the movie a plus. I didn't leave the theatre with warm fuzzies. The movie's a bit morbid, BUT it DOES make you think about how you behave when you think no one is watching.

They Know Me Well

My parents and I were eating dinner tonight making plans to go see "Seven Pounds" tomorrow. After plans were set, I made the comment, "Movie popcorn, a Dr. Pepper, and Will Smith...There's nothing better!" Without missing a beat, my parents in perfect unison said, "Unless it's McDreamy!" All I could do was nod through my laughter.

Yes, they know me very well.

Princess Party of Two....

Sally and I met in first grade. The first time I got to spend the night at someone's house, it was hers. She was my first best friend, the one I spent hours playing "Princess" with at every overnight stay from then on. the first person the person I called when Dennis (my first youth minister) left and I she was the only one who could understand me through my sobs. She was one of two friends I wanted there when I got baptized at my church, and she was one of my first visitors after every single surgery, even coming with my sister to visit me while I was still in the hospital and then stopping for another visit after I got home. We were in chior together, theater together, and our faith in Christ grew...together.

I was honored to have a part in her wedding as a member of her house party when she married the man of her dreams in December of 2004 and as I sat in the pew watching her pledge her love in her gorgeous white wedding dress, I thought of how fitting it was because the girl I had spent so much time pretending to be princesses with was TRULY a princess on that day!

We are not as close now as we were in the early years of our friendship. Life has taken us in different directions, to different interests, but she will always hold a part of my heart that no one else will because she was and always will be my first best friend. And I will always love her dearly.

And it is with tears in my eyes that I write that our Princess Party is now a party of THREE today as Sally and Wade welcomed Sophie Catherine into the world this morning!

Welcome to the world Princess Sophie! Can't wait to meet you!

Just Feels Right

So, as you can probably tell, my blog got a face lift. And I've changed the name back to breathe and believe. As much as Joy in the journey seemed to fit, I'm finding that Breathe and Believe has really become a motto of mine. The blog description seems to explain it all. Hope you like the new look and enjoy the new song which I think really fits me!

Our Christmas was wonderful! Family, fun, and food! I'll post pictures as soon as I get some!

The Sweetest Prayer...

Alexis and Austin had dinner with us tonight and this was the prayer Alexis said before we ate:

"Dear Jesus, Thank You for letting me sing again in church today, thank You that my Nat-Nat got to see me sing because I saw her smiling at me when I was singing. Amen."

I melted. Utterly and completely melted.

Ballas Hough Band

More music to tell you about...


Ballas Hough Band is the band that includes "Dancing with the Stars" pros (and DWTS winners) Derek Hough (whom I have talked about here before) and Mark Ballas. They have a great sound and I'm really looking forward to their album coming out next year! Check out their myspace page to get the latest info about what's going on with them.


And please keep Mark and Derek in your prayers as they are not only trying to promote their album but will also be hitting the road tomorrow to kick of the Dancing with the Stars tour. LOTS going on for them. Pray for safety on the road and for everyone to stay free of injury on the dance floor.

Family Fun

Here are a few photos of me with my family as we get in the holiday spirit.





All the cousins together for a Thanksgiving Day photo.





Kimberly and I pause for a pose.



A few weeks ago we took a trip to Santa Wonderland in Bryan College Station (Taylor, I thought about you!). It was our second year to go and we all had a great time!





Picture perfect! Justin (my brother-in-law) snapped the picture at just the right time to catch us all looking at the camera and smiling!





Me with my brother-in-law Justin


Austin having a blast in the "snow."


Lexi was having a ball in the "snow" as well! The smiles on their faces are priceless!

Last weekend Alexis sang in the children's chior at the annual "Hanging of the Greens" at our church. She's the youngest one in the group and was a little nervous about singing in front of all those people. So, Mrs. Judy {the chior director) sat beside her and held her hand while she sang. Judy was also my teacher in fifth grade so she's very dear to me and my family. She ADORES Alexis (so much so that we have started calling her "Grandma Judy." and believe me, the feeling is mutual). Alexis did WONDERFUL!!! We were so proud of her and were grinning from ear to ear the entire time she sang!


Getting ready to sing.


Focussed on the assistant director.


She smiled the entire time she was singing! It was SO precious!


Alexis and Grandma Judy! Quite a pair!

Same Blog, Different Name

You may have noticed that the header on this blog has changed. I've decided to change the title of my blog after some thought, "Joy in the Journey" seems fitting.

I started this blog under the title, "Breathe and Believe" at the time it was very fitting because I was at a point where I had to stop trying to figure everything out and just Breathe and Believe that God was in control and that He was guiding my footsteps (or rather, my wheels) exactly where He wanted them to be. I still fully believe that my job is to do just that...To breathe, believe, and trust in Him.

However, I created this blog as God was beginning to reveal new and exciting things to me and I wanted those that were interested to be able to share in that. I'm learning that while God HAS revealed amazing dreams and goals and put them in my heart, it's the JOURNEY of getting TO those great places that He is revealing SO MUCH.

It's often NOT an easy journey. In fact, believe it or not, sometimes posting in this blog is a step WAY out of my comfort zone because I really strive to be honest and real about what's going on in my life. Sometimes it has not been a pretty picture and revealing some of what I have has puts me in a very vulnerable position and it's not a position I feel very comfortable with but I do so because being real isn't always pretty, but if it helps someone else, than it's worth it. It's NOT an easy journey but it's one that I want to look back on and say "Thank you Lord, for everything I had to go through to get here because it was so worth it!"

Breathe and Believe I started to realize was the first step but to me it indicated a destination, an end point where once I reached those dreams, once those goals were realized that the blogging would end and that is not what I want. I want to share the journey with you, the thrill and thankfulness of certain dreams coming to pass, and the excitement of more dreams being revealed in their place. Joy in the Journey sort of sums that desire up for me...To be happy and at peace where we are along the way to our dreams, and in doing that, walking in faith knowing that good things ARE ahead because God said so!

So, my goal is to continue sharing with those that are interested this journey God has me on. I have no idea how many people read this blog or are subscribed to it, the only way I know is through feedback via comments and e-mails and I know lots of people may read and not comment. I value any comments and thoughts you may want to share about anything I have to say so please don't be shy.

I hope you'll continue to read "Joy in the Journey" and and continue to come along with me on my own journey! It's been quite a trip so far and I know the best is yet to come!!

Thanks for reading!

What's This Wet White Stuff?

It's called SNOW! Yes, that's right...It's SNOWING in Huntsville! Very rare for us Texas folks...Especially us SOUTH Texas folks! :)

*Humming "It's Begining to Feel a Lot Like Christmas" (VERY off key I might add)*

Forgiveness: A Continuing Process

I'm having a bit of trouble today....

Several months ago some things took place between me and some people that I know. Things that shouldn't have been done to other people were done, lies were told, lies were found out about, confrontation took place, feelings were hurt, but at the end of it all I decided forgiveness was my only option. So I did. I had let the matter go until last night when I ran across something that brought the entire issue back up...All the hurt, all the anger, all of it and I found myself getting bitter about it all over again...Even all these months later, everything came back so fresh as if it had just happened yesterday.

Today I have found myself struggling to not get angry about it again. I know that forgiveness isn't something that is just a "Did it. Done" type of thing but a process that is a daily choice to not let that issue steal my joy for today. It's a daily (many times, hourly) choice to give the situation back to God and let Him carry it.

And I guess I'm still in the process of forgiving these people even though I thought I had done it long ago.

A Passion of Mine

I recently e-mailed out one of those surveys where your friends fill the questions out about you and not themselves. One of the questions was, "What am I passionate about?" and one of the responses I got back was "Hollywood and anything related to the entertainment industry."

As I thought about that response, I had to smile because it IS true. I am passionate about the industry and have made no secret about the fact that I would like to work in the entertainment industry in some capacity. However, I'm passionate about the industry, not because of the glitz and glamor, I'm passionate about it because so many times Hollywood and entertainment get such a bad rep from people because all they hear about is bad things...How this actor did this, or "so and so is a bad role model because...." Yes, Hollywood (or should I say the media) DOES put great emphasis on looks, weight, etc and it seems all you hear about is who is breaking up, who is suing who, blah blah blah. I'm passionate about Hollywood and the entertainment industry because I know how the OTHER side has reached me. The OTHER side that the media doesn't talk about. And it's also another example of something else I'm passionate about....The fact that somebody else's story can help another person.

I'm a big believer that God meets you where you are. BECAUSE I love the world of entertainment like I do, He has used people within that industry to reach me.

He used Michael W. Smith to help to open my heart to Him.

He used Patrick Dempsey to help save me from myself.

And most recently, He used Derek Hough to help inspire me and reignite my own dreams.

Three ordinary people that because of the media spotlight have touched my life and helped me in extraordinary ways.

So YES, I am passionate about the entertainment world. I am passionate about trying to change the stereotype of it, I'm passionate about trying to get the word out that as much bad as the brings out of it, there's just as much good. I'm passionate about trying to stop the almost automatic eye roll that takes place whenever anything in the particular industry is mentioned and instead help there be at least a small smile. I'm passionate about the entertainment world because I'm a better person due to it.

I owe a lot to Michael, Patrick, and Derek and by extension, I owe a lot to the entertainment industry for shining a light on them so that they could reach me. I don't have all of the resources that the media has, all I have is this blog so I do what I can to share what I have learned and how it has helped me so that perhaps the entertainment industry might not leave such a bitter taste in your mouth.

I Miss "Dancing"!

I'm a HUGE Dancing with the Stars fan! Derek Hough and his sister Julianne Hough being my two favorite professional dancers. The finale was last week and this week I find myself really missing it! It really does make me want to get up and dance and even though I really can't because of my CP, this season especially inspired me for some reason as I saw how hard Derek and Brooke worked and then watched the results of that.... I've watched Julianne win twice and have REALLY been rooting for Derek to get his trophy since. They both are so classy and dance with great integrity. I love Brooke, but when the winner was announced, it was Derek that brought tears to my eyes as I thought about HIS journey and how hard he'd worked for several seasons to get to that point and to see him GET THERE....Was just inspiring to me personally as I continue to strive to make my own goals a reality. Anything IS possible if you work hard enough. So, (not that he'll ever read this but ya never know...) thank you so much, Derek!

A few of my favorite clips from the past season.......

Derek and Brooke dancing the most entertaining incredible freestyle I've ever seen on the show:


Brooke and Derek's final dance...Incredibly touching:


And the winner is:


The win was SO deserved! I'm SO thrilled Derek FINALLY won! It's been his turn for awhile now I think and I'm so happy for him!

And because I just like them both so much and LOVE when they dance together, here is a video of Derek and his sister Julianne (she's the one that sings "that song in my head" that you've probably heard on the radio) dancing together just TWO WEEKS after Julianne had emergency surgery! These two are just AMAZING!


I'm already looking forward to DWTS being back in March! Can't wait to see the new cast and of course, the dancers! And congratulations Brooke and Derek!