{Air Show 2011}

This weekend was full of laziness, hanging out with family, BBQ's & pretty much doing everything except cleaning & laundry! I hate that I didn't bring my camera with me for most of the weekend, but it didn't cross my mind.

I did manage however to bring the camera with me to the Air Show. We go every year, and each year, it's SO HOT and stuffy, but the kids love it. Here are just a few pictures from the day...











Best part of the whole day? Ryan got ROCKSTAR parking, just by the gate ... everyone else had to walk a little more than a mile ... yikes! Oh, and the fact that I finally got some sun ... loving the weather!!!

{Happy Memorial Day}

Happy Memorial Day!



Thank you to my family, friends & everyone who has served and are still serving our country! God Bless You!

{Recovery Part #2}

It has now officially been a month since my surgery. At 2 weeks I wrote this post on my progress. Now that I am at 4 weeks, I wanted to share with you a few before and after pictures. Seriously, if you have a gag reflex or vomit at the site of something horrendous ... don't look :)

You may also remember this post, explaining why I went ahead at got the surgery done in the first place. In short, I was miserable. I was constantly asked when I was due, my stomach muscles were 5 1/2 inches apart {sitting on either side of my stomach}, and I had developed an umbilical hernia. Put it all together = mommy's tummy tuck. Believe you me, I wish I could have done this own my own, without going under the knife, but it wasn't possible. Although the surgery and recovery has been painful, I don't have any regrets. So here is the last 2 weeks recovery process ...

For the most part I have a flat stomach. It's actually amazing to me. I can eat a good dinner, and sit on the couch and nothing hangs over my pants. I still have quite a bit of swelling on either side. They call it a "shelf", where there is a large dip. I am just waiting for those to go down. I still have to wear my compression garment most of the day, but I have become accustomed to it. It really doesn't bother me anymore. My stitches came out about a week ago, and it HURT like mad when they were taking them ... I was told it would not hurt ... LIES! But since my stitches are out, I really had a good first look at what my scar looked like. YIKES, not pretty. But from everything I hear, scars get worse before they get better. And I was told it would be about a year for the scar to begin to really fade ... I'll keep you posted. Luckily, the scar is low, which means I can still wear a bikini, and you really wont see it that bad, which I am really thankful for.

Since I have got a lot of emails from all of you asking about all sorts of questions, and wondering what I look like now, I will be as honest as I can, and I will also show you some before and after pictures. Again, please use this as your last warning ...
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I warned you ...
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Last Chance to cover your eyes :)
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ok, here are the before and afters {4 weeks post surgery}

{Before}




{After}



Look, no strech marks!!! Didn't think about taking a side shot, I guess I forgot, I'll try to do that at 6 weeks out. Anyways, these pictures don't do justice. I feel so much better and am a lot more confident.

{Prayers to Joplin}

As many of you have heard by now, Joplin, Missouri was hit by a devastating tornado last night, killing more than 90 and injuring 1,150 people. The pictures are absolutely devastating, and reports are saying that the town has been cut in half.

Last night I laid in my bed praying for the safety of friends and family, and those who were affected. The videos coming out today of last night are incredibly emotional, and it's hard to believe it happened so close to home. For me, the most devastating news was that the tornado damaged the hospital, and a nurse has reported that she witnessed a man being ripping from his room through the window. Can you even imagine?

I have included a few pictures and videos below. If you scroll all the way down, there is information on how you and all of us can help. Thank you for your prayers.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Joplin Safe & Wellness Check & Diaster information:

- Please vist www.redcross.org
- Text Joplin to 864833 to donate $10.00
- Call 1-800-427-4626 for disaster information

{Braeden & Bayler's Playroom}

Now that the boys have their own bedroom, it was time to crate a space that is kid-friendly, and a place to house all of their toys. It was a tough decision if I should move both of their beds in the same room, but I felt it was necessary in our house to have both a bedroom and playroom. We are lacking on space, and this seemed to be the easiest way to deal with the situation.

Their new playroom is a work in progress. I moved the crib to the side and took off the drop side. I then was able to use a huge square beanbag and create a "day bed" look for them to read and play on. I laid down a rug and placed their toys around and in their toy box.






So far, the kids LOVE this. It's their room to do whatever you please. In the corner of the room you can't see, we have the Rockband drums set up to a TV for them to play with. It's been a smooth transaction, and I am not regretting anything.

I am planning on purchasing some Uppercase Living to add some decor to the walls. What else do you think I need to add or take out?

To see what the Nursery looked like before, go here.

{Featured on Someday Crafts}

Hey you all ... check it out ... I was featured this week on Someday Crafts for my Diamond Plated Rocker Panel Frames!


Head on over to see the feature here!

{Bayler's Big Boy Bed}

Yay! Bayler Bear finally has his own bed ... it's been a long time coming let me tell you!! He has been out of his crib for sometime now, and pretty much just sleeping with me every night. In fact, if you asked him to go to his room, he would walk straight back to mine ... umm, not so good!

Since I have had some unusual free time since the surgery, which really means, I can't do a whole lot except plan, I decided it was time to get Bayler his own space!!

He now has his own pretty little car bed, which he adores! I purchased bedding about a year ago on sale, which looks so cute. It even has a giraffe on it ... it's Bayler's favorite animal. It's really just perfect. Like I said, now both boys sleep in the same room, and have a whole room as their playroom now ... can't wait to show you their playroom tomorrow ... for now, here is Bayler's new bed ...

{Revisiting Rocker Panel Frames}

The past week I have reconfigured our bedrooms in the house. Bayler has been out of this crib for sometime now, and it was time to give him his "own space." Even if it meant combining the kids bedrooms. What I mean by that is I got Bayler a new bed {tomorrow's post} and both Braeden and Bayler are sleeping in the same room now. It actually works out great for us, because they both fall asleep to the same TV and like to be with each other as much as possible.

SO, what used to be Bayler's nursery has now become the "Playroom" which I couldn't be happier with. It turned out perfect, and now all the toys pretty much stay in the same area, and a lot less clean up. {Wednesday's Post.}

I wanted to revisit the Rocker Panel Frames because they have been off of Braeden's walls for sometime now. I never really had them framed, so when they would get knocked off the walls by crazy play ... well, they would just get damaged. FINALLY, this past week I put them in some cheap frames that really made a difference and I wanted to share them with you again ...

Here are the before ...



And here is the after ...




Overall, much better look and I love them more now. I also placed them further up on the wall so that they will not get knocked off as easliy. Both boys love them, and it's the perfect touch for "both" of their rooms!

If you want to see the first post on the Rocker Panel Frames, click here.

{Her Magazine Feature}

IT'S HERE!! I can finally tell you what I have been so extremely excited about for a couple of months now! Not wanting to count my chickens before they hatched .... I waited, and waited. BUT NOW .... now I can tell you the juicy news!!

Jefferson City News Tribune has started a magazine called HER Magazine, geared toward Women with business, fashion and trends included. A couple months back I received a call asking me to be part of the magazine in a feature called ... "So You Want to Be ...." Obviously for me, it is called, "So You Want to be a Wedding Planner."

The Magazine is one stands NOW!! SO go out and get your free copy. I was so pleased and honored to be apart of this, and I am so excited to share it with all of you finally!

Thank you EVERYONE who supports me, local businesses & the fact that you can truly follow your dreams!

Here is the add ... but go get a copy for yourself :)




Happy Planning!
Natalie Imhoff

{Recovery Part 1}

Wow, so it's been a while. Exactly last Monday I went in for surgery. Most of you know I had a corrected umbilical hernia, as well as, a tummy tuck... YIKES! The good news is that it went wonderful. I couldn't have asked for better doctors, nurses, and family for help. It obviously wasn't a pain free recovery. It's very intense. I have a lot of bruising and swelling yet, but today was a good day overall. I got both drains out (most unpleasant things ever) and although taking them out feels like being hit in the head with a baseball bat, it's SO much better afterwards.

Tonight I feel as though I have a little more freedom. I am walking around with out a walker at about a 45 degree angle (the past I had to be at a 90 degree angle all the time.) I am able to wean myself off the meds fairly easy, so it's been overall smooth sailing. I still have a lot to go, but in a months time, I should be back to doing most of my normal activities ... which I am looking forward too.

Tomorrow I have another doctor's appointment, so pray everything goes well there too! Thanks for all the kind words and emails, it's been so appreciated!

Hope everyone is having a great start to their MAY!