Question of the Day

This is an important question...

Do you dream in color or black and white?

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

For A Smile...You Can Share the Magic

Will you accept a challenge?

My new found blogger friend, Teachinfourth or (Jason Z.), has issued a challenge on his blog.

The mission is this:

"I would like to challenge you to do two things. Firstly, make a comment on this post, indicating that you’ve been here. Then secondly, click over to two others’ sites via the link on their comments, leaving a comment on their site as well."

You can either comment on my blog and find new people through here or go to Jason's blog and find people through his.

Either way, I'm sure you will find new blogs that you love.

And everybody loves comments!

P.S. Do you know what song part of my post title comes from?

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

Expecting the Best

"Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."

Marvin J. Ashton

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

Cuteness Animal-fied

The next time I'm in a bad mood I will just click over to Zooborns and scroll through all the adorable new baby animals. The website documents exotic baby animals and the effort of zoos around the world to save them.

How about these playful pygmy goats?

{via}

Or these adorable "Thermonuclear Otter" triplets? Called "thermonuclear" because they are lethally cute! They were just born on March 19th at my home zoo, The Columbus Zoo.

{via}

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

Chop Chop

I needed a change.

So, I got a haircut. With bangs.

Here is the picture I took in:



And this is what I came out with:







I really dislike taking pictures of myself so they didn't turn out super well, but you get the idea.

P.S. PLEASE don't enlarge them. It is too scary when you do.

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

Baby Cheeks

My cousin Hester and her husband Tim recently had their third baby boy....

Noah Alexander. He was born on Thursday, April 8th.

Congratulations and Welcome!!!

Noah with his two brothers.

Aren't baby cheeks just the sweetest things?

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

Piano Fun

I would definitely use the stairs more often if I could make music while exercising...

It's like the giant floor piano from the movie Big, but on stairs.



Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

Good Strength

Picture via

Picture via

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

Peace

"And today, I’m struggling again. My best intentions have turned to disasters. I feel misunderstood and fallen and hated. What’s that quote? “Man will suffer no greater disappointment than that he is to himself.”

Yes. Oh yes.

When I kneel to pray my thoughts are crowded with, “I’m such a fool!” “When will I ever learn?” “I make a mess of everything.” God is there, but I’m covering my ears and shouting my failings.

But now, I’m going to lean back, like a child against a cool pillow, and feel God’s love. And I can already hear the murmuring words of comfort—I understand… I know life is hard…I know you’ve made mistakes… but I’ve paid the price for you. Let me in." -Michelle L.

I'm grateful for the Atonement and for answered prayers. As I've struggled over this past week or so and have felt much like Nephi did, I decided to turn to the scriptures and seek advice from my Branch President. He directed me to an Ensign article which includes this quote: "...God accepts the humblest offering of the humblest Saint, and each of us can make a difference. We need not be embarrassed or ashamed; we need only give our best effort to the Lord. In turn He will bless us and magnify us and, in a marvelous way, make us whole."

I'm imperfect and sometimes feel that I have very little to offer, but I know that as I give my best effort, Heavenly Father will take what I give him and through the mercy of the Atonement make something beautiful. The Atonement makes up the difference for what I lack and through it, I can be made perfect and whole. Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I know He does. As I was reading the scriptures, they fell open to Doctrine and Covenants 98:1-3. Just when I needed it, the Holy Ghost confirmed once again to me that Heavenly Father is aware of me and that He loves me and that my prayers are never in vain.

And now, I feel the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.

I know Heavenly Father loves me.

I know He is there.

And for this knowledge I am so grateful.

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

Karma Cards Giveaway

I was having a pretty bad day. No, make that a pretty bad week. I cried today and yesterday and the day before. I'm a mess right now. Struggling with some things and trying to work through them.

Anyway, I was looking through my Google reader hoping for something to cheer me up a little bit and came across this blog where the author is giving away Karma Cards. Have you heard of them? No? Neither had I. Well, they are cards with inspirational photos on them and a short inspirational message. The point is to leave the cards in a spot where someone else would find them and be cheered up by them. Say, for example, in a book at the library, on a seat in the bus or in a lecture hall, under someone's car wiper, or any place you want.

Photo via

Oh, Mishka got the idea from Yes and Yes who came up with the idea.

So, one lucky reader from Oh, Mishka will receive 15 Karma Cards of their very own! Just go here to enter. Or, if you can't wait, you can print off Karma Cards by yourself, here.

And, yes, I felt a little cheered up.

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

Favorite Blog- Segullah

One of my favorite blogs is Segullah. I would say it's a new favorite, but I've been reading it for a while and just now posting about it. It is written by LDS women who blog about the "peculiar and the treasured."

There have been several posts on there recently which have really stood out to me.

This one on loss for starters. What a powerful post. I especially love the point she makes that we are here to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that need comfort. We aren't to go and try to cheer them up, but be there to help them through their trials and give comfort and mourn with them. Basically empathy, right?

Which is exactly what the Savior did himself.

This post also caught my attention. Do the places where we stand affect our identity? What holy places do you stand in? I believe it was Elder Cook that also mentioned standing in holy places from General Conference (if I have my notes correct).

Segullah address' topics from money to depression, to fear and everything in between.

If you have a chance, be sure to check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

He Lives

All the time, but especially during the Easter and General Conference season, I am so grateful for the testimony that I have of Jesus Christ.

I know that because he loved us (and still does), he chose to come to earth and live. I know that he died and now he lives again. I also know that because he lives, we too will live again. I know that he is our Savior. What a wonderful knowledge to have! I am also grateful for the testimonies of our living prophet and apostles. Their testimonies strengthen mine.

Happy Easter and General Conference!

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.

An announcement...

I definitely have one!






Are you excited?














I'm engaged!!!!!

I'll tell the story later, I just wanted to let everybody know!

Here is a picture of my ring:



P. S. This post was brought to you by: this
No, I'm not really engaged.

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha M.