Who is the Little Stranger?

I am almost 19 weeks along and Bryce and I find out if our little baby is a boy or girl on December 30th! EXCITING!

What do you think? Cast your vote. (see right side of blog)

The Christmas Carol

Shelley has a little theater called the Virginia Theater. They put on quite a few shows a year. They put on The Christmas Carol every year and this year I decided to be a part. I played the part of Missionary #2. This is a pic of the cast on closing night after our show. We did the show 8 times and we were all a little excited that the show was over.

The cast! I would write down all the names if I knew them all.

Missionary #2 and Missionary #1!

Lots of gossip and fun!

Bravo to everyone. Splendid job! Marvelous!

Blurry curtain call.

"A few of us are endeavoring to raise some fund for meat and drink and means of warmth for the poor, who suffer greatly at this present time."

"Scrooge and Marley's I believe. Have I the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Scrooge or Mr. Marley?"

It was great fun. God bless us EVERYONE!

My Little Sister The STAR

To see this as a full screen: 1: Click on it and it will take you to the album. 2: In the left corner a little button will say "full screen", click it. 3: Click play and enjoy!

my blog will not work on whitneys computer!

A Happier Announcement and A Happy Thanksgiving

Bryce and I are happy, happy, happy to announce that we had a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Plus . . .

Yes, I did eat a lot this Thanksgiving, but not all of that belly is full of turkey. I wasn't the only one chowing down on stuffing, potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pie this year. YOU GUESSED IT! There is a little baby Jolley in there that feasted along with us this year. I am sure that he/she enjoyed it just as much as me.

A washed out picture of all of me and my little bump. I am nearly 16 weeks along and happy to be feeling a little better than I have been for the last couple of months. I suffered a lot of yucky nausea and nearly daily trips to the toilet to let go of whatever meal I had just eaten. The sickness hit me right in the full swing of the semester and I have to say that my grades have suffered because of it. But, I am at least passing my classes and this little baby will be all worth it in the end.

Bryce and I have anticipated this for such a long time and I was honestly beginning to lose hope that I was ever going to be able to have a baby of my own. But, after years month after month of disappointment, it has finally happened. It has been a roller coaster, to say the least, and I still have a lot of apprehensions and doubts, but I am happy and Bryce is happy.

Thank you so much to our friends and family who kept us in your prayers. We felt all of your support and love throughout this and thank our Father in Heaven that he has allowed us to carry one of his children to this world.

On to THANKSGIVING! Here is the clan settled in our seats before the meal commenced. The Goodwin family was able to come down and we always have such a good time when they come. My little sister Bubberoo shared the week with us too and she was so wonderful to have around. The food was delicious and the company was even better.

The best part of Thanksgiving this year was having Bryce home with me. He was able to fly from Tucson, AZ home so he could spend a few days with me. Even though it was just for a few days, it was the best few days ever.

Jenny and Bryce enjoyed a little chat before dinner as the rest of us slaved away in the kitchen.

DeeAnn, Grandma Norma, Kimmy, and her fiance Mike also sat back and relaxed before the meal was served.

Kailey, Lindsey, and Jenny trying to cool off with the door open. The house really got hot with all that cooking and extra people.

Whit serenaded Lori as she rests from her labors of the day.

I Am Alive

Hey There! I have kind of left the world of blogging for the past few weeks. I just wanted to post a little update as to the ongoings of the Natali and Bryce world.

Here are the updates in no particular order:

*Bryce has finished his externship in Tacoma Washington and is now in Greeley Colorado doing an externship there for the month of October. He had a week break in between, thank goodness, so that he could come and visit his lonely and needy wife in Idaho. I think that he likes Greeley. Well, he says that I would like it. He says that it has the feel and look of a smaller town and is nestled in the mountains and lovely countryside. He is right, I would love it there. It is way more my style than the gazillions of people and traffic and buildings of Tacoma. But, alas, I will not be able to see the place before he leaves for Tuscon Arizona next month. I will just cross my fingers that the residency director takes a liking to my husband and offers him the program someday.

*I am in Idaho right now. I live in a little apartment in Shelley, Idaho. We moved all our stuff from Des Moines to Idaho in May. I started classes in Rexburg at BYU-I in September. I travel from Rexburg to Shelly Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for classes. I don't really like school all that much and the transition back into college student was a little bit of a struggle for me. But, I believe I have found my groove and I am surviving. I am determined to at least pass. Campus is just as I remember it except way more young, young people and it sure has grown. It is a little bit of a twisted time warp to be back there again. I feel like I am a part of it, but a proclaimed outsider. Going back to school after 5 years isn't as easy as it sounds. The worst of it is that Bryce isn't here to cheer me up and keep me grounded. I am doing my best to not cry myself to sleep each night without Bryce around. I am very fortunate to have family close by. My in-laws are just a few minutes away, my sister and her family are in Idaho Falls, my brother and his family are in Ribgy, and my little sister is a fellow student living in Rexburg. Oh, and Bryce's little sister and brother and his family are also in Rexburg. I really am very far from alone, but I long for my husband every minute.

*Idaho forgot that it is time for Fall. It was summer with 85 degree weather, with brilliant sunshine, then the next day it was snowing and temps fell to the 20's. I don't know who I need to send a complaint to up there, but who ever controls the weather should be hearing from me very soon. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year and Idaho has seemed to have skipped it. I do enjoy wearing long sleeves, sweaters, and fluffy socks though.

* I do remember how to use a camera, but haven't taken any pictures lately. I have been pretty overwhelmed with school and so on so forth that I often forget to take pictures. I will soon.

*Farewell all.

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Back To School I Go!

"Don't you love . . . the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."
photo taken from: www.flickr.com/photos/merelymel/2824506032/

This time of year is exciting to me. I really love all the back to school stuff in the stores and the fall weather turning the vegetation into colorful works of art. I feel like Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail. "Don't you love . . . the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." *(Of course, I would love to send anyone a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils. If you want one, just put your name and address as a comment and I promise to send you a pencil bouquet. I will, I really will. To be honest, I will only send you a pencil bouquet if I know you well and I know that you would appreciate the gesture. The deciding of those who will be the most appreciative is up to my discretion:)* I do want to buy school supplies and I think a lovely pencil bouquet would look quite nice on my kitchen table. But, this year is a little different for me. I AM ACTUALLY GOING BACK TO SCHOOL MYSELF!

I got married to the best man in the world in August of 2005. Right before we met, I had decided that I needed a break from my academia, and I was faithfully preparing to serve a LDS mission. I filled out all the papers, got my necessary interviews, checked in with my dentist, and I was even getting up very early in the morning everyday to study the scriptures. (I am not a morning person at all!) Everything was in order and I was about to send that packet of papers into SLC and await my calling. THEN, I met a handsome, chiseled, funny, and just generally awesome man named Bryce Jolley. We dated from May through June, got engaged July 3rd, and married August 19, 2005.

Bryce was finishing up his undergraduate education when we were newlyweds. He was also preparing to enter medical school in the Fall of 2006. Needless to say, he was a busy character at the time. Between school work, taking entrance exams, flying to interviews, and working as an electrician for his father, he had little time for much else. I, on the other hand, should have taken that time to go back to school myself. However, even though I had initially taken a break from my academics for the purpose of serving a mission, I wasn't ready to go back quite yet. School has never been super easy for me. I love learning, but I am easily emotional and I get stressed quite readily. College classes and me didn't jive too well my first couple years of school. I needed some time to re-think what I wanted to do with my education. So, while Bryce was actively pursuing his academic aspirations, I went back into the workforce. I worked for Deseret Book for a time.

In July of 2006, we moved to Des Moines Iowa for Bryce to attend Des Moines University. The next three years, he worked his little hiney off to get through school and we are now into his 4th year of med school and looking forward to the next years of his residency. Throughout all of this, I have often felt like I needed to go back to school. I've never felt right about leaving my academic progress just hanging in the breeze. I felt like not finishing school was just one more thing that I had failed at. No one likes to feel like a failure, and I felt like one sometimes. These feelings came only from my silly emotional self.

No one in my life has ever made me feel like I was less of a person because I hadn't finished college. In fact, there were times when I felt like there really was no use in finishing because I had a husband who was going to finish enough school for the both of us. It was my job to just make sure he got through his schooling in one piece. We were going to start a family someday soon, and when that happened I was determined to be a stay at home mom. I wouldn't be using my degree anyway. Who needs a little slip of paper that says I have a degree in something or the other? No one give a degree in child-rearing and family studies. I mean, RIGHT? I thought these thoughts, but never really believed them. I wanted, and felt like I needed, a college degree. How could I teach my children the importance of a college education if I, myself, didn't finish college? What if something were to happen to my husband, what would I do for work. I know I have many talents, but the workforce nearly demands a college education. Most of all, I REALLY wanted to feel like I had finished something I started. I want to be able to frame my diploma on the wall and feel good about myself for the hard work I put in to get it.


So, after YEARS of going back and forth with myself. I decided that it was time. Time to go back to school and finish what I started in 2002 at the ripe old age of 18. Heavenly Father doesn't seem to think that it is time for us to have children exactly when we planned them. This made my decision even easier. If I am not to be a mother right now, then I should finish what I started while I have the time and attention to give schooling my 100%. It took MANY prayers and MANY tears to come to the place I am right now. But, as I type, I am again enrolled as a full-time student at BYU-Idaho. I start in exactly a week, and I am very excited. I am very scared. I am very anxious. I am very grateful. I am very blessed.

I don't know exactly how to proceed. I anticipate feeling a little awkward and out of place at first. But, I fully intend to do my very best. I fully intent to get the best grades of my life and make myself and my family proud. It may be a long next few years, but I will have the framed diploma hanging on my wall someday soon. This is my time to show that I can do it, and I don't intend to feel like a failure this time. In fact, I haven't felt so good about something since the day I knew that Bryce was to be my eternal companion.

To all the rest of you starting school this fall, GOOD LUCK! From Kindergarteners to Graduate Students, this is your year. Make it the best year ever!

A WICKED Good Day

Bryce and I spent the day with Emily and Jake yesterday. We had lunch at Red Robin and then Bryce and I watched the kids while Emily went to a doctors appointment.

The Klein boys. Jake, Tristan, and Rohne. Rohne was in kind of sour spirits. The only way I could get him to look at the camera is if he made a silly face. I told him to stick out his tongue and that worked.

Jakes sister Jessi was there and i got this great picture of her holding the baby. I think it is just precious.

While Emily was at the doctor we did something really fun. Emily got some autumn cling on's for the window from her Mother in law. I helped a little, but Taylee and Rohne decorated most of this window. They are proud of it. Again, Rohne wouldn't smile so I told them to make silly faces and since it worked I just went with it.

Another silly face shot. You can see the scarecrow in this one. Good Job Rohne and Taylee!

Taylee smiled for this one, and I just couldn't get Rohney to do it, so here is a half silly, half smiley pic.

Emily and I have been wanting to go to Wicked. We procrastinated a little bit and didn't end up getting tickets for the show before they were all gone. BUT, luckily Craigslist has us covered. We had kind of decided not to go, but we checked on Craigslist two hours before the show started to see if anyone was selling tickets, and JACKPOT! We got REALLY GREAT seats from a guy who bought tickets and couldn't use them. We saved about 20 bucks in the whole transaction as, so that is WICKED. I have already seen the show in Omaha, but I couldn't resist a second time. It was utterly amazing. I loved each and every second. Even though the theater was pretty hot and I got pretty sweaty, I still loved it. I could go a million times and never get sick of this show. It took all my efforts just to not sing along. OH glorious day. Thanks for going with me Em, it will be a day to remember. And Bubber, you will get to see it someday. I KNOW YOU WILL! I thought of you the whole time and wished you were here with us. We love you Whit!

Insomnia Strikes Again - Give My Regards To Broadway . . .

Amber Jardee and ME singing The Star Spangled Banner before a basketball game. I was probably 17 in this picture. This is the only picture I have of me singing. Strange, because I did it A LOT back then.

I think that I have written before about the reason I have trouble sleeping at times. I'm going to go over it again, for my own sake. I think a lot. I'm not talking about intelligent, philosophical thoughts. No, I just think about everything. What I have done, what I haven't done, what I want to do, what I need to do, who I need to call, what I need to write, what needs cleaned, and the list goes on and on and on and on.

I go to bed tired, but my brain is wide awake. It just won't empty. All those thoughts and obligations cram themselves into my consciousness and hang on for dear life. Those pesky thoughts jam every corner and crevice they can find until there is no where for them to go. I swear my head must have to enlarge to accommodate such greedy guests. Then comes the headache and the pounding. The vicious thoughts all have hammers and are now hammering on my skull, trying to break free somehow. I take medicine to subside their anxiousness, but it only works for so long. All that thinking has to go somewhere and it isn't going to be pretty when it spills out. So, Sorry you had to witness this, but there is clean up needed in aisle five because someone popped the cork.

Here is something that I have been pondering often lately. By pondering, I mean obsessing over.
I was heavily involved in my high school music department. My choir teacher, Cindy Quade, was also the guidance counselor. To be simple, she was awesome. She brought so much variety and talent to that tiny school. My high school only had about 60-70 students. Total. That means 9th -12th grade . . . 60 students. How much can you do with so few students? Mrs. Quade found a way to do everything and it was all done really well. I LOVED doing show choir, dinner theatre productions, music festivals, choir concerts, singing the National Anthem at games, the works. My 12th grade year, I worked as her teachers aide. I came to her with so many ideas, and most of them she consented to doing. She gave me free reigns to do as much as I wanted. I helped put together our Broadway review that year, I planned what the theme was to be for our show choir productions, I even choreographed most of the numbers. I enjoyed every second. BUT, my crowning glory was when I got to sing with the Jazz Band.

I had, and currently have, a gigantic fascination with Frank Sinatra. He won me over with his enchanting melodies, his hypnotic ballads, and that voice of gold. I just mentioned to Mrs. Quade that one of my dreams was to sing THAT type of music with a real band behind me, just like Frank. She arranged it. She had the Jazz Band learn "Someone To Watch Over Me" with me doing the vocals (the band hated this song. they all told me it was, by far, their least favorite song and the wished the didn't have to do it. Just a side note) It was glorious. I will never forget how glamorous I felt. I don't think I appreciated it as much then as I do now. I'm pretty sure she has no idea how much that meant to me. That year for Christmas she gave me a Frank Christmas album. It is still one of my favorites. Don't you agree that she was awesome to say the least.

I've always loved performing, and the Carter County High School Music Department was a very available venue. I am proud to say that I think I took full advantage of that while I could. No regrets here. Well, not true, I do have one tiny regret. I had one more dream, to be in a Musical - Broadway style. Unfortunately, I was the only one. None of my fellow students wanted to devote the time or effort necessary to put on a musical. And, as much as I wanted to, I couldn't play Eliza Doolittle without a Henry Higgins.

But, High School is NEVER the end of any dreams. Luckily, dreams can live on past our glorious adolescent years. I know there are some out there that still think high school was the best time of their lives, and that life just gets boring and draining after you toss that weird square cap into the air. What's with the weird cap and gown thing anyway. Those hats don't look good on anyone, and they are strange. I guess I might have to research that before I go on bashing the age long tradition huh. Moving on. College! (I'm sure this jaunt through my past is enjoyable to no one but my mother, so you don't have to read on if you don't want to. Remember, this is just to spill my overflowing brain)

I did continue performing in college. I was in a Women's Choir that was sort of fun. I was in a VERY FUN, vocal ensemble called From The Heart. Yes, we were as cheesy as the name, but still very enjoyable. I was in a few school talent shows. I sang and played my guitar to anyone who would listen. I learned how to country dance. But, still no Broadway musical. No Eliza Doolittle.

Then I got married to the most perfect man on the planet. I forgot to mention that my #1 dream of my life, even before the dream of Eliza, was to be a wife and a mother. I was overjoyed to finally start fulfilling this dream. I love being a wife. I can't say that I miss being single even a snitch. I don't miss high school, I don't miss college, I don't miss adolescence. None of my past joys can compare to the bliss I feel when I lay in bed and night and listen to my husband breathing next to me and feel his arm around my waist. He is the best thing that has happened in my life. What else can I say.

But alas, as of late, my old Broadway dream is taking over. Eliza Doolittle is singing "wouldn't it be loverly" over and over in my head until I want to scream. I listen to show tunes ALL DAY LONG on my computer. When I have spare time I watch Broadway clips on you tube. I can't get "Forget About The Boy" from Thoroughly Modern Millie out of my head and I sing it constantly, even though I only know half of the words. I keep thinking . . . will I ever be able to do Broadway? I have no desire to perform as a career, but I have a great desire to participate in a Musical. I don't mind if it is a no budget church production or a community event. I would prefer that actually. I just want to do it SOOOOOOOO bad. I know New York is never going to knock on my door, asking for my name to be on a playbill. I almost think of nothing else. This is one of the reasons why I can't sleep tonight. *Big Sigh*

I won't go into detail about the others right now. It feels good just to get this little bit out into the void so I might have a chance to sleep tonight. Don't be surprised if another insomnia column shows up on the blog tomorrow.

Thanks and Goodnight.

Happy 5th Birthday Taylee!

My niece Taylee wanted a Halloween party this year for her birthday. I think that her cousin had a Halloween party last year and she wanted one as well. I went up to Bellevue for a few days to help Emily with all the preparations. My favorite thing was decorating this bat cake. Sharon (Grandma Nanna - Jakes Mom) used to do decorate cakes for Albertsons and she is a pro. She has all the fun decorating stuff and she taught me how to do it all. It really was soooooooooooo much fun. I really want to be a cake decorator now. We thought it turned out great, but Sharon is such a professional she knew there were a lot of flaws. Taylee loved it and that is all that mattered anyway.

I wrote the words on the cake as well. I wasn't trying to write straight, if any of you were wondering why the letters are all over the place. I learned that when doing type on anything, if you try to write straight it usually goes crooked. But, you write crooked and it ends up looking prety symmetrical. I don't know.

This was my other contribution to the party. Taylee got a Barbie Musketeer for her birthday from Grandma Honey. She calls her Barbie Mouseketeer. The Barbie has a mask that turns into a tiara on her head. And Taylee go her own "Mouseketeer" mask as well. So, Emily and I decided to play pin the mask on the Barbie Musketeer. I drew this picture of the Barbie and made a bunch of masks to pin on her face. It was fun.

The next day, Bryce came up to pick me up. While Emily was putting Tristan down for a nap, we went out and picked blackberries. We came in and made blackberry ice-cream parfaits. YUMMM! Plus, they are so cute too.

On another note: All these recent pictures are from our NEW CAMERA! For our anniversary we usually go out and splurge on a really nice dinner. It ends up being a little pricey. So, this year we decided to use that money to buy a new camera. We really needed one. So, we had dinner at Burger King and bought a new camera with the rest of the dinner fund. It was a good decision. Here is Bryce trying out the new camera. Turns out, he looks super good in this pic. I never look good in self portraits like this.

Workin' on a Full House . . . We did it too!

Only three months in Washington, and we have visitors. Holy Moly, it took our family years to come out and visit us in Iowa. I guess Washington has a little more to offer. Then again, that is just in the eyes of the beholder in my opinion. ANYHOO, here they came. Bryce's Brother Dallin, his wife Haley and their precious little boy Hunter came to visit us in Tacoma this weekend. It was a very impromptu trip for them, but we are more than happy that they came to visit. It was TONS of fun and I loved getting to know my little nephew. He is just a gem and I'm afraid we have another red-headed Jolley boy on the way. Look out America, this is gonna be good.

Here is a little low-down of how our weekend went: ENJOY!

Hunter and Haley taking a little rest after the twelve hour drive into Tacoma. I promise Hunter is in that car seat. I never got a picture of him out of it. I am a poor photographer. SORRY

Bryce and Dallin checking out the Puget Sound and the ferry that was arriving. This is at Point Defiance Park.

The Rose Garden at Point Defiance also has a gorgeous display of rhododendrons that I couldn't get enough of. They actually aren't that pungent, but I couldn't resist a good snifferoo.

Bryce taking a picture of Dallin Taking a picture. Very wonderful

Aren't they glorious. My nearness just made them bloom, can't you tell.

Haley and Hunter (again in the car seat) walking through the Rose Garden. Lovely.

I like the yellow roses because in the house I grew up in we had a bush of wild yellow roses. The rose bush grew next to this giant rock. I liked to hang out there and pretend lots of things. Ah, memories.

Dallin and Haley in love and in color. They are a wonderful couple and we love them so very dearly. Cute picture huh.

We needed a chance on this bench of love as well. Natali and Bryce being copycats.

A cute old house. Also at Point Defiance.

I have a thing with climbing trees. I just like to do it and that is all. Haley kept saying that this place reminded her of Twilight. So, here I am being Edward in the tree. I should have someone flung across my back as I discover the treetops shouldn't I. Next time I'll tell Bryce to join me. I'm pretty sure I could carry him.

Dallin and Haley at low tide at Ruston Way Waterfront. I told them the turn over the rocks and check out all the little crabs. They wouldn't pick any up though. I won't ever let them forget this act of non-bravery.

SMILE! Except I think Dallin might be getting ready to pounce as well. I'd be scared if I were Haley.

SEATTLE! Nat and Bryce at the waterfront in Seattle. The flowers are from Pike Place Market. They were the most beautiful blossoms ever. Now girls, don't get it into your head that Bryce bought these for me. We bought them to give to his Aunt LaRee and Uncle Roger who had us over for a BBQ that night. I did enjoy the flowers while I had them though. I felt like Miss America.

Just a fish I caught. No big thing, I bring in a catch this big every time I go fishing. Oh, and the guy in the yellow suit. . . he is my friend Beardy. No one else calls him that, just me.

Tolmie Park beach. Bryce is wading through the much looking for sand dollars. They were everywhere and they are pretty neat little creatures.

Dallin checkin out the sea-life. Pretty fun and pretty stinky at low tide.

I found myself some wonderful treasures. This little crab was just lookin at me as I checked for sand dollars. He only has one claw so I call him Lefty. He might be the best crab friend I've ever had from the sea.

This giant Sea Lion was my third favorite thing about Cabelas. The first was the shooting game, second the fish tank, and third this Giant Sea Lion. His name is Giant Boy. He is probably the best friend I have ever had from Cabelas.

Bryce and Dallin doing my favorite thing about Cabelas. The shooting game. You shoot the targets and all sorts of joyous things happen. Bears jump up from behind fences, shovels fall over, doors shut, what a trip.