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My Simple Wild

a motherhood & simple living blog

December 10, 2017 / Personal Stories, Style

Remembering To Be Thankful During This Busy Holiday Season

I was inspired by another blogger to write this one. Her name is Ashley and she writes over at www.theashmoreblog.com. She was chatting on her Instagram stories the other day about not having the “perfect” home and the perfect christmas tree. It made me feel just so much more “normal” to know that I am not the only blogger out there that doesn’t have this ideal home! She made jokes about getting her christmas tree from Wal-Mart and that it wasn’t some giant perfectly flocked tree. Her ornaments didn’t match and she didn’t care.

This post may contain affiliate links. To read my full disclosure click here. 

It can be SUPER intimidating, especially as a blogger, to post any photos of your home. Especially if you are like me, and live in a rental still so there just isn’t much you can do to fix the place. But here’s the thing- my mom says it best- you have to remember to appreciate all the little things and live to the fullest each day. Be proud of where you are at in life. Be thankful to how far you may have come.

When we had Liam, we were BROKE. And not like a I-am-so-broke-while-sipping-on-my-Starbucks-coffee-broke… I made minimum wage at a coffee shop and Nathan was a car washer at Lexus. We lived in a tiny one bedroom apartment in Denver. We didn’t have real furniture until almost a year after moving out here. We dumpster dived in Boulder and brought home a broken futon that was our couch. We slept on a blow-up mattress that had a hole in it for over 8 months. I got sick constantly when I was pregnant because everyone on our floor smoked inside and our only neighbor that didn’t smoke inside their apartment made BOK CHOY for dinner every night. ( I am literally getting nauseous thinking about that apartment)

The craziest part?That was the happiest and most care-free year of my life. We had NO money to go do anything. So we sat at home in front of our tiny sooty fireplace and played Uno for days. We listed to records, played games and made art. We worked at low stress jobs so we left our work at work. We had one car so I had to ride my bicycle almost two miles to work everyday. Pregnant.

When we had Liam, he didn’t have a nursery. He didn’t have a pack and play or anything. We couldn’t even afford to get newborn photos done.

Thinking back, you would think we were miserable. But we weren’t! We were just so grateful to be finally living out in Colorado, we really didn’t care. And once Liam came into our lives I didn’t think we could ever be happier. (sleep deprived, yes, but happy)

Fast forward six years and here we are. Living in the burbs. We have three working vehicles, a 5 bedroom rental, Nathan has a great job with a really amazing company, and we go out ALL the time. We go out to dinner, see movies, go to museums and zoos and trampoline places.

We have nice furniture that actually kind of matches. We have entertaining dishes and extra wine glasses. I have a craft room full of supplies !

You would think now that life is pretty great for us , right?!

Well, I find myself WANTING WANTING WANTING more. I scroll through Pinterest and Instagram and see beautiful stockings hung under a beautiful barn wood mantle. I see bright white walls and brand new kitchens, and I just start to feel bad. I feel envious and dream about our someday home.

I don’t think I am the only one that feels this way, right? It’s pretty damn easy to get caught up in it all.

I have to slow down and be very mindful when I start to think this way. I physically say out loud how grateful and blessed I am. I thank God for it all and remember that there are millions of people in the world that don’t have a 1/4 of what we have.

During this Christmas season, I think it is just so important to remember how blessed you are. Not just of material things, but the things that matter most. Your health, your family, your faith and your attitude towards life is what it is all about anyways.

So gone are the days that I don’t post that cute photo of Liam playing or helping me bake because I am embarrassed what my house looks like. I want to remember every single little thing because I know it can be too easy to forget those small moments over time.

SO here are some photos of Liam and I (Ok, mainly me) decorating our imperfect Christmas tree. It’s not the perfect tree but the memories made going up to the mountains to hunt and chop one down was pretty priceless.

Thank you to PinkBlush for the sweater! All opinions are my own! 

First step : hot cocoa ! And mama may have slipped some Bailey’s into her mug…

giant marshmallows : check !

Placing lights on a real tree like this one that is so bare.. not gonna lie- pretty difficult.
hanging one of my favorite ornaments- this little angel
Liam contemplating what ornaments he wants to hang

This sweater from PinkBlush is incredibly comfortable. I love how long it is because I can wear it with leggings. And the inside of the sweater is super soft!
This tiny criss-cross detail on the sleeves is so cute
Liam gave up decorating the tree with me and decided playing with the legos from his Lego Star Wars advent calendar was more fun

when your dog’s sweater matches your slippers!

Sweater// Leggings

Remembering to be thankful during the holidays can really relieve some stress and help you see what your priorities are. Spend time with your family, cherish those little moments, and ENJOY it !

Merry Christmas !

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Comments

  1. Darlene Dee says

    December 11, 2017 at 2:35 am

    First of all, you are 100% right! Looking back, I had a lot of fun in my salad days with no extra cash and a deck of cards. But. Wow. I adore your ‘imperfect’ cocoa, and tree, and especially your slippers! Everything looks PERFECTLY imperfect.
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      December 11, 2017 at 4:29 am

      Thank you so much !!!! ❤️

      Reply
  2. The Dance says

    December 11, 2017 at 9:31 pm

    I love that you take make the time to “take in” everything around you!

    Reply
  3. thebusyboymama says

    December 12, 2017 at 12:16 am

    I love this post! People need to remember to be grateful and thankful ! Not just around the holidays.

    Reply
  4. Brandi says

    December 12, 2017 at 1:43 am

    Thank you for being so transparent. You have a lovely home. So can so relate to this! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Tina Yantz says

    December 12, 2017 at 4:46 am

    Thank you for the encouragement. I’ve been struggling and you words were important for me to hear. Thankful for my blessings.<3

    Reply
  6. Emily / Happy Mom Blog says

    December 12, 2017 at 7:04 am

    This is a really great reminder. I also get really stressed during the holidays but remembering what you’re grateful for can make a huge difference! Thanks for sharing your story.

    Reply
  7. My Blog Inspires says

    December 12, 2017 at 3:32 pm

    I love this post ! Beautiful pictures and a great reminder .. People need to be grateful and thankful .

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      December 12, 2017 at 6:07 pm

      Thank you !❤️❤️

      Reply
  8. Meghna Dixit says

    December 13, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    Love the post and love the pictures too. I agree with the sentiment if being grateful whether it’s holiday season or not.

    Reply
  9. Ted says

    December 13, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    I gave up on Pinterest for this reason, wanting, wanting, wanting. It’s not healthy, gratitude feels so much better. Though now I want your tree which is gorgeous!

    Reply
  10. Barbara Alfeo says

    December 13, 2017 at 9:26 pm

    I love this- focusing on gratutude is so much healthier!

    Reply
  11. Rachel says

    December 14, 2017 at 3:16 am

    It is a great reminder. I sometimes hate taking pictures of my house because of the whole hand me down furniture thing and general lack of decorations. I should just be grateful that I have a home and furniture!

    Reply
  12. Tifanee says

    December 14, 2017 at 5:26 am

    This rings so true with me right now. I have been focusing way to much on getting the next thing once I get the thing I thought I wanted. Love the sweaters, your’s and your pup’s. I also have a sweater worthy yorkie 🙂

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      December 14, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      Yes!! I’m glad I’m not the only one ! And thank you ! ❤️

      Reply
  13. thepeacheepear says

    December 15, 2017 at 11:19 pm

    I agree with you 100%. Looking back when we lived in our one bedroom apartment we were much less stressed. I definitely cherish all those memories!

    Reply

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Welcome! I’m Natalie. I am a western mountain mama who just recently relocated to the coast! Here I share all things motherhood, homemaking, homeschooling, and slow living. I hope you follow along as we share this next chapter of our lives. I am so glad you are here! Grab a cup of coffee and stay awhile

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Happy Memorial Day ! Thank you to those who courag Happy Memorial Day !
Thank you to those who courageously gave their lives for our freedoms. 🇺🇸
Whew what a week ! Thank goodness for church and t Whew what a week ! Thank goodness for church and the good Word to renew and fill me with hope. Last week was a doozy and felt like it wouldn't ever end. Good & bad things happened, but more bad than I'd like. My grandma passed away and then we were in a stressful scramble for 2 days trying to figure out who could take care of our animals and dogs and garden & afford flights, a hotel and rental car to go to Chicago for the services(we ended up just having to book a flight for me & Liam and my husband and Theo will stay behind to hold down the homestead). We had a big playhouse we bought off FB marketplace delivered that Nate and Liam have been repairing and painting. It's turning out great ! I know many memories will be made in there, and I can't wait to share the before & afters. Though my poor husband has way too many projects going on at once again. 😬 
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The other day I went to the garden to find all the marigolds I planted next to my tomatoe plants died out of nowhere, and something is eating my pole beans. 🙃 
How I've been coping ? 
1. Finally cracking open a prayer journal I got for Christmas from my best friend and pouring my heart out. 
2. Spurts of intense deep cleaning that makes me utterly exhausted 
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Even though life has been busy and crazy and sad, I still just feel incredibly grateful and blessed for what the Lord has given me and my family. I'm ready to be home and hug my family and celebrate the beautiful life of my Grandma Alice.
Do you have plans to go camping with your kids thi Do you have plans to go camping with your kids this Summer ? I have a blog post from a few years ago that has a free printable kids packing list. This checklist gives kids an easy to follow list to be independent and responsible for their own pack for a weekend camping trip. 
I don't know if we'll get to camping before baby gets here in July, but we plan to camp this Autumn for just short weekend getaways. 
Now that Liam is 3 years older since creating that checklist, I may even add a couple more things. A tick remover to be added to his first aid kit would be helpful, and having his own bug spray. 
Head ro the blog (link in my bio) to see the list and let me know if you'd add anything to it ! 😊 
Tell me about your camping trips this Summer ! I'd love to know ⛺️
Yesterday Bowie brought home a limp baby bunny tha Yesterday Bowie brought home a limp baby bunny that I'm guessing was about 10 or so days old. His eyes were barely open. I had to scoop him up and push my dog out of the way who was super confused as to why I was so mad at him. I kept him warm and he snuggled into my arm and belly and fell asleep 😭 Liam searched and searched the thick brush at the edge of the forest, and deep into a thorn-covered bush, there was the little burrow with a few other little baby bunnies. He snuggled right back in next to them. 
Bowie got into their burrow again today ! 😩 Liam was devastated, but I think they're alright. 
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Even though she passed yesterday, I have been mourning my grandma for over a year. Dementia took hold of my sweet Grandma Alice and I couldn't call her on the phone anymore. When I saw her this April, she had no idea who I was or who my Dad, her own son, was. I couldn't call to tell her I was pregnant with my 3rd son. I couldn't call to tell her I moved from MT to VA and that we bought a homestead. My grandma has been gone for some time👇🏼

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