Saint Leo, Antarctica... I Mean... Florida

Life happens. Even when it isn't a major or BIG deal... sometimes the little things can keep you up at night when you need to be sleeping so you can get up and be at your best for whatever it is you do. And when singing is your job... keeping your voice healthy is a HUGE part of it.

Even though I barely slept a wink last night.... the power of Prayer along with positive thinking, and knowing my own body well... kept me singing today WAY better than I thought I would be. Isn't it amazing how that happens? I have had WAY more difficult vocal days after a FULL night of rest.

Go figure! I've been trying to practice being thankful for what I HAVE when I am tempted to focus on the things I don't have.

And at tonight's show? I was thankful for a freezing, shivering, CHAMPION of an audience that FROZE THEIR TAILS off to watch our show! The setting was a gorgeous lake, the stage was under a majestic tree with moss hanging from it, and we were surrounded by a volley ball court and free yummy tacos! We played during sunset. It was so pretty!!! But the breeze... whew! Intense! We all REALLY thought that we'd be warm in Florida. Nope. Not yet!

The students said that last year it was hot, everyone was out playing volleyball and having a beach party. But this year, the crowd was huddled into 2 clumps... around the heaters that were brought out for everyone. They were all shaking and bouncing trying to keep warm. But they stayed until the last note! My fingers were bright red - I wasn't sure how in the world they were going to work... but they did! YAY!



Clay greatly regretted his decision to work out (and not bring a change of clothes) before the show! But even still... he stayed until the last note! (He was VERY close to the heater...


I am in the back of the van. We have to drive overnight to get to Mt. Berry, Georgia for our show tomorrow. I think I'm gonna nap now, so I can take a later shift of driving.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

It's Never Enough

The day looks different through the eyes of "loss."

Losing Grandpa has, in one day, brought even MORE to our attention, the importance of family. Every moment we can spend with those we love. And keeping ourselves healthy in EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

We joined the gym this morning. Some of that was pure coincidence. It has been something we have gone back and forth on - cost versus our limited time in town. But going for a run had an extra weight of importance today...

And tonight I spent time with my parents, my sister, my brother-in-law, and 2 of my nieces. Shelby - one of my beautiful nieces - is our little gymnast. Tonight she was in the state gymnastics meet at David Lipscomb - RIGHT in my neighborhood!!! She did SUCH a great job, and I was so proud to watch her compete tonight.

Here's my Champion!!!!! You're looking at one of the top 10 year old gymnasts in the state of Tennessee!!!

(We had our celebration dinner at Pei Wei.)

And sweet little Ansley - one of my other nieces- sat in my lap the WHOLE gym meet. We got a lot of good hang out time packed in tonight. I know WAY more about Strawberry Shortcake and her adventures now :) (And I thought I already knew a lot about her!)


No matter how much time we get to spend with those we love... it's never enough. And that's something that death points out in a pretty harsh way. But I am so thankful for all the time I have ALREADY had with those I love. And I will continue to cherish every moment as much as possible.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Lost in Sicknation

Goodness.

First of all... THANK YOU for all the prayers and well wishes. This is just ridiculous...

Yesterday before we left Chicago I went to a walk-in clinic to get checked out. When the doc said "Well, you don't have pneumonia... yet..." I thought. OH MY, glad I came in...

So yeah... bronchitis can be pretty serious, but I think we got to it early enough. It makes me glad I canceled the show. But I am well into my antibiotics now. (So don't worry Farm Boy! Thanks for putting in the good words with the biotics... cause the anti-agent seems to be working!)

Earlier today I didn't even feel like watching Lost... that's bad...

But now I am watching Lost episodes like a Champion and even ate a full meal... Actually, I attacked it like I hadn't eaten in weeks. YAY! Who knows what tomorrow may bring. Maybe TWO meals ;)

For now... I'll leave you with the first picture we've gotten back from the photo shoot. Lots more are on the way, but this is all I've got for now. The pic was taken by the lovely Amanda Van Sandt with hair and make-up by Lorena Lopez. My girls!


By the way... the good thing about being a performer is that I look EXACTLY like this after laying in bed sick for 2 days *wink wink*



Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie