You mess with the bull, you get the horns...

After reading the title of this post, you are probably thinking I am going to start ranting and raving and name calling about a certain event that has happened in the life of my family a few months ago. Well, sorry to dissapoint but I'm not. Why not? Truthfully, I just don't see the point. No matter what I write, people are going to believe what they want to believe and those who truly know and love my family already know the truth and stand by us.

A few months ago, my father was forced to resign from his position as music minister that he had been for the past 15 years because a couple of men got their panties in a wad. My father is a very honest and loving man and when he saw things happening that he didn't think were right, he spoke up. Was he disrespectful? absolutely not. But there are some people in this world that don't like being told what they did was wrong. I have not been able to tell the truth of this because my father was threatened that if he spoke anything about why he left, his severance package would be terminated. The people who made this decision, were people whose homes I grew up in and whose children I was friends with.

This event has completely disrupted my parents lives in ways that words just can't explain. My father won't sing in church anymore and my mother can't bring herself to play the piano. I am deeply saddened by both of these because I grew up hearing them use their musical talents and now my daughter might not ever be able to. Am I upset by what was done? OF COURSE!! But I'm not going to give these "men" any leverage to hurt my family anymore by calling names.

So back to the title of this post, what does it mean? Well, when Nick and I started dating, he loving compared my family to the mafia and I have to agree. He didn't mean that we do illegal things or kill people, but was referring to how close we are. When you mess with one family member, you mess with us all. So in this case, when these "men" allowed Satan to work in their lives and disrupt my family's lives (because Satan is the one responsible for this!), not only did they mess with one bull, but they messed with at least 20 of them. I will leave the math up to you to determine how many horns are prepared to strike.

I love my family with everything I am. I will do anything for my family and they know that. Does a part of me want to go up to these mean-spirited people and kick them in their man-hood? Yes. But honestly, if you can treat people like this, then you aren't really that much of a man anyway. One day these people will have to answer to God himself about their actions and I have a feeling they will pee their pants in fear. I have no doubt that they know what they are doing is wrong, but they are allowing "power" to control their actions, not their true hearts. I thank everyone who has been true friends to my parents and have actually stood up for them. I also thank everyone for the prayers and ask that they continue because this isn't something that is going to be gotten over any time soon. Right now, all I can do is pray for my parents & family and know that God is in control of all circumstances. I will continue to do everything in my power to make my parents smile every once in a while because as Francesca Battistelli said in her song "Angel By Your Side"...."if I can bring a smile back to your face,  for a moment, you'll forget all about it." 

To all of my family, I love you more than words can express! We WILL get through this together!

With all my love,
Natalie

What's more important?

For the past few years, I have been struggling with this whole "friendship" thing. Everywhere I go and everywhere I look, I see women with their "girlfriends" having a great time and everytime I ask myself "why can't I have that?" I can't tell you the amount of time I have spent crying and asking myself "what's wrong with me?" or "why don't they include me?" I would go to events or try to get involved in things so that maybe, just maybe, someone would want to be my friend.

I know these questions sound really childish and pathetic but I am not afraid to let my feelings be known. One of the many lessons I learned about myself when going to therapy is that I feel with everything that I am and there is nothing wrong with that. When I love, I love with my whole being. When I hurt, I hurt with all that I am. When I am in a relationship (love or friendship), I give 110%. You can see it as a curse or you can see it as a blessing. I have decided to see it as a blessing. It is just how I am programmed.

What I have learned and decided to focus on is that no matter what I do, I can't make anyone like me. I have had to start asking myself what is more important?......to enjoy the life I do have or beg for the life I think I need? I recently read a book titled "Divine" by Karen Kingsbury. This book really opened my eyes to the fact that the most important relationship I need to be worrying about is the one I have with my Savior. When my focus is on doing what God wants me to do and paying attention to the surroundings God has placed me in, everything else will fall into place.

It's a daily struggle to stay positive and only be concerned with what God wants for my life. I pray daily that God will use me and show me what HE wants and that what I think I need will fade into the background. God has blessed me beyond measure and I can't afford to spend my time begging people to like me and ignoring those who already love me. I have a wonderful husband who is my best friend and loves me even after seeing the good, the bad, the ugly, and the hidious! I have a precious angel for a daughter whose smile melts away any problems I may be having that that very moment and whose giggle melts my heart. I have family, both immediate and extended, that love and accept me and support me. These are just the beginning of the list of all of the ways I have been blessed!

Am I saying that I do not need friends? No. Am I saying that I think I am better than other people because of what I have? Absolutely not. What I am saying is that God has work for me to do and I don't think continuously crying over relationships that I don't have is what he wants for me, or anybody for that matter. Will I still have slip-ups and get upset every now and then, yes...I am human, but I am going to try and make every day count, thanking God for what I have and focusing my energies on what he has for me to do.

Personal Revelation

The past couple of days I have been finding myself very frustrated and worried about things that truly don't matter. With Easter Sunday coming up, I, like a lot of people, have been worried about what I am going to wear and frustrated because I won't be wearing anything new to church. I have also been comparing my singing to others quite frequently.  I will be singing a solo this Sunday and have been worried about how I am going to look and sound to all the people that show up. I have been making myself sick that I won't be as good as the other soloists. My devotion this morning discussed how we are all different and that is what makes us beautiful. These verses really hit home with me

Romans 12:5-6 (The Message)
"So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other or trying to be something we aren't."

This morning, I realize that my voice isn't like anyone else's and I shouldn't want it to be. God made me the way I am for a reason and as long as I am singing truly for his glory and his glory alone, then nothing else matters. It doesn't matter what I wear or how I think I sound. As long as I am praising God in all I do, everything else will fall into place.

All About Me

A little bit about me: My name is Natalie Suzanne (Wentz) Vaughn. I am 28 (29 in 4 days!)years old. I am have been married to Nick for 7 years and we have one little girl named Neela Kate who is 15 months old. I am a 2nd grade teacher and absolutely love it!

Neela's 1st Birthday Party

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) honest

Are they right? yep

What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life? there are many....Hugh Laurie (House), Kelly Ripa, Katherine Heigl, Matt Bomer (Neal Cafferty on White Collar)....that's all for now


What is your comfort food/drink? food = Taco Bell, drink = sweet tea

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it? Go on a mission trip to another country....may have that opportunity this summer!

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres? Romantic comedies are my favorite but I also enjoy drama and some action.

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types? I enjoy a lot of different types of music but lately I mostly listen to contemporary christian or praise & worship....really gets my day started off right!

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money? Get out of debt.....pay off student loans and any other debts I owe. I would take a fabulous trip with my family and then set up an account for Neela so she will always be provided for.

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul). wanting people to like me....i have truly gotten better about taking control and not doing things just so people will like me but I still want to be included......who doesn't??

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go? Some place where the beaches are white, the water is clear, and we can all just relax and enjoy each other

Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat? I can pick things up with my toes....that's about it

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of? men's cologne

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in? I would probably still shop in Old Navy and Target because I am just wierd like that and enjoy getting good deals on cute clothes! I would probably also own every piece of Vera Bradley merchandise available.

What is your greatest fear or strange phobia? Heights terrify me and I'm also not a fan of small spaces.

What is your greatest accomplishment? Overcoming my panic attacks and singing in church again.....so many people take being able to do these everyday things for granted....panic attacks took over my life to the point of not wanting to leave the house. I was able to work through my panic disorder with therapy, medication, and lots of prayer!

2nd Grade Poetry

My students wrote valentine poems today.....I just had to share! Enjoy!



Roses are red, the sky is blue.

I really like you, your smile too.

How you dress, make a mess, do your test

But how do you make a mess upon a test?

Roses are red, violets are blue

I like your hair and your shoes are nice too.

Roses are red, violets are blue

I can't wait to run over you.

Roses are red, violets are blue

I am playing video games, will you play too?

Roses are red, violets are blue

and I think that's your favorite color too

But maybe red

By the way, what color is your bed?

Roses are red, I like you.

When you come out of the sky

I will come over there and say Hi!

Roses are red, the sky is blue.

Yellow is the sun that shines in the sky

Please wave when you pass by.

"When I am 100 years old...."

Yesterday, February 1st, we celebrated the 100th day of school. One of our activities was to write about what you will be doing when you are 100 years old. Here are some of the things my students wrote along with a few of their drawings that I just had to share!

When I am 100 years old, I will ...........
                  * call some people to bring me to the hospital and share my money
                  * do nothing but eat food
                  * buy a chair, relax, and go to sleep
                  * get a job and a car
                  * live in a fancy house with millions of dollars and will work as a teacher
                  * sleep in my chair and watch TV
                  * live in my own house and pay bills with my husband
                  * live in Louisiana, read a book every day, watch TV, take walks, and play with
                           my puppy

this just cracked me up

paying bills with her husband

buy a chair, relax, and go to sleep

looking good at 100!

I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have!

"I am the teacher, I am the teacher..."

Today was one of those days that this was my mantra.............

At the end of the day today, I had one student jumping up and down beside her desk, one crying because she didn't get treasure chest, and two laid out on the floor as if it was a bed. I literally had to go get Ms. Harris, my fellow 2nd grade teacher, to observe what was going on because trying to explain it to her just wouldn't do the situation justice. 

Earlier in the day, when trying to explain assignments, I felt like I was talking to aliens. I honestly said the same thing 4 times and half of them still could not tell me what I had just said. The thought crossed my mind "Am I speaking English? Is there something I am missing here?"

Needless to say, I am absolutely exhausted. My mind is shot and therefore I am going to stop for now. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.