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.