Ode to Alex

I just want want to brag about my husband a little.

Sorry for the mushiness, but it's my blog. And my husband. :)

Alex is awesome. I've been meaning to write something about him on her for a while. He is working SO HARD at school. He studies and studies and then goes to works and is such a good employee. His boss totally loves him, because he's easy to talk to-- I know, a total shocker. I love how out going Alex is, but how much he loves just staying at home and hanging out.

Alex has been totally keeping me sane these past few weeks. There has been many nights when I come home crying and REALLY frustrated and exhausted, and he knows how to calm me down. He cleans the house and doesn't complain. He is a wonderful Uncle, and he may love his nieces and nephews more than their parents...or at least gets really close ;). He is going to be the best. dad. ever.

Alex is a committed person. In many aspects of his life, he can see the big picture. I tend to get stressed over little things that pile up, but he understands that smaller things are necessary for a bigger blessing. For example, school. I get so busy with my jobs that sometimes I think that homework is a waste of time. He helps me realize that I don't have much school left before I graduate, and it is such a blessing to be able to attend college and do all the things I do.

He is SO committed to becoming the best dentist he can, and getting into the best dental school that he can. He has had the same few friends his whole life, and that's completely okay with him. When he is excited about something, he gives 110%. He helps me with so many things, I can't even begin to list them.

Plus, Alex is hot. You can't deny it. :)

Alex is a person who always has the Spirit with him. I can't even begin to tell you what a blessing that is to have in your home. I love reading scriptures with him and talking about it. I always learn so much.

I could go on for a long time, and I'm sure he won't even read this, but I love my husband. He is...I don't think there's a good enough word for it. I love Alex and the fact that we were able to make covenants to each other and have the capacity to spend forever together. That sounds really good to me. :)

Oh, and Alex loves this recipe :)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies

1 box of Spice Cake

1 bigger jar of pumpkin

Chocolate Chips ( the more the better :) )

Set oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the three ingredients ( do not make the spice cake mix, but simply mix the powder with the pumpkin). Bake on a sheet for about 15 min.

Easy and delicious.

Happy Fall! :)

Nat

Lots of Mud.

So, this weekend was the best one we've had in a while. It wasn't productive at all, but it was still wonderful. Here's why:

Friday we had a ward activity. We are on the Activities Committee in our new ward, so it was really fun! We were in charge of some Minute to Win It games, which was a blast. I have picture, but my computer is being silly.

Saturday we woke up bright and early to make our way over to Midway -- such a pretty drive! We'll need to drive the Alpine loop this weekend, I think. We went with Mal, Whit and Matt, and got all registered.

The Dirty Dash was a 10K - nearly killed me - but it was such a blast. We basically just played in the mud for a while, then ran, then played in more mud. The final leg to the finish line was a HUGE mud pit that you had to basically swim through. Thus, this was the result:

So. Much. Fun. We'll be back next year, as long as I don't have a big bump in my belly :)

Now, it's back to the crazy week. Next week is our first Divine Comedy show, so next week will be even crazier, but you should come! We're doing an Inception parody, and it should be pretty good. :)

And, of course, my favorite thing on Saturday was the RS Broadcast. I am always amazed how things seem to hit me so specifically. I can not WAIT until General Conference. What a blessing to have living prophets to talk to us about what we need to do to be happy and to be with out families forever. I had the chance to watch it with my mother-in-law. It was so fun! I am grateful to be a part of the gospel, and especially a part of Relief Society.

 Halloween is so close! :) Fall is one of my favorite seasons -- it reminds me of getting married, football season, apple cider, Thanksgiving feasts, and that Christmas is coming :)

Love you all!

xoxo

Nat

So excited.

And yes, that is my wedding ring. Good choice, honey, good choice. :)

Hello world! I have about 15 minutes before I have to leave for a Tuesday's With Morrie performance, Alex is at the library studying, and I think I'll put Seinfeld on for a minute and blog :)

First of all, the show for Catey was a HUGE success, thank you everyone who came and helped. It made for a busy first week of school, but a wonderful. Last Sunday we sang "Because I Have Been Given Much" and couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with how blessed I am, and how easy it is to help others.

The football game. I was performing during it, but man. I love BYU football. I'm excited to be able to watch it with Alex soon. :)

Since I don't have much time for typing, I'll let the pictures so the talking.

I love teaching. It's so exhausting, but it brings me so much joy.

I tend to only take pictures of my nieces and nephews. Can you blame me?! Look how cute they are! :)

Here's proof we still exsist. This was taken on Labor Day up in the mountains during a cook out with the Madsens. Can you tell we'd been in the library since 8 am? :)

New car! Yipee! We've been saving and saving ever since we got married -- which hasn't been that long...well..almost 10 months, but we're so grateful for wise parents' advice, and tithing. :)

2007 Camry -- in GREAT condition! :)

Lastly, and this is big news, I, Natalie Ellen Madsen, was crafty. Kind of. Last night, as soon as we got home, Alex fell right asleep. My mind didn't really shut off right away, so I decided to try and make one of those cute flower heads bands. I've kind of wanted one, but they're 20 bucks. Yeah, right.

So, I bought a couple shoelaces, got out my hot glue gun, and made these! Super, super easy, just spiral the shoe lace and hot glue as you go. I cut off the edges. Then, I just hot glued it to the headband. Cute, huh? :)

And that's all I have time for. I need to start blogging about my teaching adventures, because those kids say the funniest things. Alex and I have both been insanely busy (I said goodbye to him at 7:15 this morning, and I will see him again at 9. Woof.) but happy! School is challenging and a blessing, but the biggest blessing of all is having Alex to help me through everything. I love him!

I'll try to write more frequently too. After next week, my life becomes waaaaay less busy. :)

Hope you're all doing well! Love you all!

xoxo

Natalex