Missing my niece...

Aunt Chelle & Katerbug at the beach - Summer 2010

Today, I am really missing my niece, Katelyn....so I decided to post the letter I wrote to her on the day that she was born...love you, Katerbug!


January 24, 2008

Dear Katelyn, 

Well, you’re finally here. Happy birthday! I would love to tell you that I am more excited about you being here than anyone else, but I think your parents may have me beat…by just a little bit! I was with them just moments after they first found out about you. The three of us just cried and hugged, dreaming of when this day would come…and now, the waiting is over! It’s a great story, but I should let your parents tell you. I’m not going to steal their thunder this early on in the game. 

As you get older and start asking to see your baby pictures, you won’t see any of your Aunt Chelle. The problem is…I am in graduate school in Texas, which is about 16 hours away from where you are. (That is about how long it would take if you watched your favorite movie ten times in a row.) So even though you won’t see my face, hopefully, this letter will show you that my heart was in Knoxville on your first official birthday.

I’m not gonna lie to you, Katerbug. I was pretty disappointed when you didn’t show up three days ago. I really wanted us to be birthday twins. Your Uncle James, on the other hand, wishes you would have held off a few days since his birthday is January 28. We are getting married in 120 days, so apparently, God is even using your birth to try and teach us compromise. (You’ll meet God soon, and you will love Him, I promise. Your parents will introduce you as soon as they can.) 

Speaking of your parents – wow, you have one amazing mom. I should know. She had great practice being a mom on me, her little sister. She was always holding my hand when I crossed the street, even though Gigi already had me on one side. She was the one who gave me advice the first time I liked a boy. (Don’t say gross – it will happen to you one day too!) And she was also the one who consoled me when I found out he liked someone else. I was like her dolls, except I was better, of course. Oh, and in case she tries to blame the fact that she can’t french braid on me…I can’t help it. Your mom has gotten much more gentle in her hair styling since she first learned how to French braid. 

She was more than my second “mom” though. Your mom is also my best friend. As soon as you learn to talk, you need to start bugging your parents to have another baby. If you take after your mom in personality as much as you look like her, you are going to be one amazing big sister, Katelyn. My next niece/nephew is one lucky kid.
Oh, and while I’m thinking about it. There will probably come a time when your mom gets on your nerves. You’ll think that she doesn’t know anything and that she can’t do anything right. But just remember that you heard it here first. Your mom loves you more than anyone else on this earth, and she wants what is best for you. Even if you don’t understand her, trust her. No matter how hard that is. About the time you are ready to finish high school, something inside of you will just click, and you will know that she was on your team the whole time, and you will be a better woman…because of her. Your Gigi did this for your mom and me, and your mom will do the same for you. You’ll find that as you get even older, you will hear her advice echo in your mind each time you are faced with a decision.

And let me just tell you one of the best things about being a girl – DADDY! Hands down. Your G-Daddy is one of God’s greatest gifts in my life. To this day, I still think he is the best, strongest man in the world (equal to your Uncle James, of course.) He’ll be the one who shows you why following God is the smartest decision you can ever make. You see, God is your Heavenly Father, which means, he’s just like your daddy…except better. I know that’s hard to imagine, but it’s true. Some little girls don’t have good examples of what a Heavenly Father would be like, but that’s not the case for you. He will shower you with unconditional love, spoil you as much as he can, (Try not to abuse that), and he will set the standard for the man you will marry someday. That guy has big shoes to fill, but we are already praying that God will shape him to be the spiritual leader that you need.

I know I’ve talked a lot about God, and you probably don’t even remember Him right now. It’s okay. It’s been a big day, coming out of your mom’s womb and everything. You’ve been preoccupied with other things. But God was the man who created you. He formed you in His image, and you are fearfully and wonderfully made. As he molded your shape and taught you how to smile, He developed a plan for your life. You have a bright and beautiful future ahead of you, sweet Katelyn. You simply have to trust Him with all of your heart and not rely on your own strength. Then, He will direct your paths and work for your good, since you are called for His purpose.
He’s put some of His best in your path. Your mom has an incredible servant’s heart (that she learned from Gigi), and your dad works harder than anyone I know, and he will provide you with everything you will ever need. Your G-Daddy is the closest living, breathing example of Christ that you will ever encounter. I pray daily that by the time you are old enough to read this letter that your Aunt Michelle and Uncle James will be closer to you in distance…but I promise that you are in my thoughts and prayers everyday.

I haven’t actually laid eyes on you yet. I haven’t held you in my arms. But I can already tell you that I love you more than I ever thought possible. I promise that no matter how far away I live, if you need me, I’ll be there as soon as I can get to you. Since I can’t be there physically to change your diapers or tickle your little toes, I’m going to do the next best thing. I’m going to pray for you. 

Sweet Heavenly Father, I submit the life of my precious Katelyn to you. God, I pray that you would give her everything her heart desires. Use her to change the world for you. Send your angels to gather around her and protect her. Make her heart yearn to learn Your Word, and help her to be able to recite your teaching to resist the devil’s temptations. Use the sun’s warmth to remind her family’s love. Every time she sees a sunset or a mountain range, have her reflect on Your power. Don’t let anything stand in the way between her relationship with You. Amen.

We’ll get to have fun soon, I promise. So you just grow up sweet and strong, and know that your Aunt Chelle loves you. And bout that birthday twin thing, three days is close enough to still be twins, don’t you think? ☺

Love always in Him,
Aunt Chelle

Colossians 3:23

Volunteer Work that Matters the Most!

Volunteer Work that Matters the Most!

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Sometimes, being a writer involces knowing when you can't say it better than the original author. In a world that seems to value the family less with each day, I hope you will be challenged and encouraged by this post by Chalene Johnson (Pictured here with me this past summer at Camp Turbo). Just click on the title of the post, and you will be re-directed to her blog!

65 Lessons Learned From Being a McNatt

I spent way too many hours yesterday trying to figure out how many places I have to change my last name and address - school, church, bank, work, the gym...not to mention my driver's lisense, pasport, social security card, voter registration information, etc. You would think they would just let you fill out one form and be done!

The more I began to think about it, the more I realized how difficult that adjustment will be. I'll have to turn off my auto-pilot to concentrate to write Michelle Myers instead of Michelle McNatt. I think I'll get really good at turning c's into y's.

But I've learned a lot in my 23 years and 4 months as a McNatt. Here are the highlights...

From My Dad…

1. There aren’t many conversations that don’t have an appropriate Andy Griffith line.
2. Dad has first rights to the recliner, the remote, and the thermostat.
3. It’s okay to cheat at Putt-Putt. And bowling. And cards.
4. Making a joyful noise refers to the Lord, not to your Pastor of Worship and Music.
5. An appropriate way to answer the phone is always, “Yankee Stadium, Second Base.”
6. After your 6-year-old child sings "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" imitating an old man at church, it's pretty much impossible to sing this hymn again with a straight face.
7. Coffee is not hot enough right out of the pot. Stick it in the microwave for another 30 seconds.

From My Mom…

8. Your mom knows you better than anyone. If she tells you when you’re six years old that you’re going to be a writer, you probably will be.
9. You know your mother is a master fund-raiser when she can sell enough Kroger bucks to send you both to Europe for 10 days – with $300 spending money each.
10. This also probably means she loves you more than she loves herself.
11. Keeping a positive attitude in all situations really does have an impact.
12. Brush your teeth.
13. 15 miles per hour is for experienced drivers only.
14. Always go to the bathroom when you have a chance. Just two drops, and you’ll feel better.
15. The seat belt is not enough for your child. When you brake, throw your right arm out so hard that you almost knock the wind out of your child.

About Food…

16. Cereal is an acceptable meal – no matter what time of day it is.
17. Don’t put funnel cakes in front of your car air conditioner vents unless you plan to decorate your car with powdered sugar.
18. If you have extra napkins at the table, someone will spill something.
19. Peanut butter makes almost everything taste better.

About Moving…

20. You really haven’t lived until you’ve shared a bathroom with your mom, your dad, your sister, and two cats.
21. When your sister tries to persuade you to want the smaller room that shares a wall with your parents by telling you it has two closets, don’t fall for it. You will not get a new wardrobe to fill the second closet, no matter what she says.
22. Don’t move to Texas and accidentally leave your phone on silent for 24 hours. It results in gray hairs and unnecessary panic.
23. Moving down the street is just as time consuming as moving across the state.

About Holidays…

24. Don’t get Melody socks for Christmas.
25. You can’t listen to Christmas music until after you get home from Thanksgiving dinner. Unless you’re Terry McNatt. Then, you begin fa-la-la-ing on your summer vacation.
26. You don’t get coal in your stocking if you’re bad. You get army boots.
27. On Christmas morning, you can’t come downstairs until dad has made coffee, mom has a cup of it in her hands, and the video camera is set on the tripod to capture you flying in the room.
28. Boiled custard is better than eggnog.
29. When you stop believing in Santa Clause, he stops coming. Just a personal testimony – flying reindeer, big red suit, comes down the chimney…I believe.
30. Wake your parents up on Christmas morning after you've made your bed. That way, when they want to go back to sleep, you can say, "But I've already made my bed!"

About Family Vacation…

31. If your father randomly busts out “Joy to the World” on the beach, you have the right to move down in front of the next hotel and alert tourists to check out the “weirdo” Christmas caroling ahead. Conducting. Wearing headphones. With a briefcase.
32. When your sister has just gotten engaged, watching Father of the Bride is a bad idea. Your entire family will end up in tears and sitting in the same chair.
33. When you make a bathroom or food stop while traveling, make sure you get back on the Interstate going the right direction.
34. When your child says, "I don't want to ride that," they probably mean it. Examples - Melody's chair lift experience in Gatlinburg or Michelle's Alien Encounter at MGM Studios.

About Pets...
35. If you buy a hamster, make sure their cage has a plastic water bottle. If it’s metal, she will eat it and die.
36. When your hamster dies, your dad and your sister will have a fake funeral in your presence, when in reality, they’ve already thrown her in the garbage can.
37. No matter what he says, there are no sheep dogs eight feet tall.
38. You cannot sneak your bunnies in the house. They leave a poop trail.
39. When your parents are tired of cleaning up such a trail and they give your rabbits away, but tell you that you can visit them every week, you will never see them again.
40. Fish in the McNatt household have a less than 24-hour life span.
41. If you want to buy a cat, buy two or none at all. Also, the best place to buy cats is a trailer park.

About Survival…

42. If the VOLS win, wear orange to church on Sunday.
43. If the VOLS lose, wear orange to church on Sunday.
44. Always lock the door. Yes, that includes locking your car inside the garage with the door down.
45. It really is good to have people who aren’t afraid to tell you when you’re wrong.
46. If you don’t know what you’re talking about, pretend you do. Most of the time, you will have them so confused when you’re done talking, they will think you’re the expert.
47. When you mess up, ‘fess up. They probably already know what you did anyway.
48. If you’re on time, you’re late.
49. Talent is hard work and determination in disguise.
50. Always hug people good-bye. If you have just gotten back from the gym, saying “I love you” works just as well. (Side note: This rule applies in all situations – whether going out of town, heading to work, or simply leaving a room.)

About Problem Solving…

51. There’s not much duct tape won’t fix – except if you kick your foot through a door. That requires Crazy Glue.
52. If you drive up an icy hill in a van without four-wheel drive, you will slide back down backwards. Opening the door and trying to stop the vehicle from spinning with your foot does not work.
53. If the alarm goes off at your new condo, don’t call the police. Get up, lock yourself in a room, and call your Daddy.
54. When you twist your ankle, you have two options: The doctor tells you to go to the emergency room, but Terry McNatt says, “Go swim it off.”
55. If wasps make a nest inside your basketball goal and you try to play anyway, one of them will sting you. In the eye.

About Growing Up…

56. Don’t leave a child in a room with scissors. She will cut her hair.
57. When you turn 10, you no longer get a second chance in HORSE or Around the World. You’re playing with the big boys now.
58. The things you make fun of your mother for are the habits you will take with you, such as spending hours cutting coupons, researching grocery store sales, shopping at three difference stores, and saving receipts just to show your fiancé how much you saved.
59. If your sister always wants to play house, she will make a great mom someday.
60. If you always wanted to play rock star, pray for your parenting abilities daily.
61. You know your parents truly want to be a part of everything you do when they join Facebook.
62. If you go over on your cell phone bill, don’t tell your parents you’re pregnant to reduce the shock value of the $300 bill. Reverse psychology does not work in this case.
63. Work with your sister to make sure life’s big events occur at the same time. For example, you should compete in the Miss Tennessee pageant when she graduates college. And you should graduate college the summer your sister gets married. Get engaged the week after she tells your parents she’s pregnant. Then, three months after they become grandparents, schedule your wedding. Parents love stuff like that.
64. Barbie’s do not have bones in their feet. Melody and I came to this conclusion after extensive bathroom research.
65. Make sure you are close enough to your family that if you need their advice and can’t contact them, you can hear their voices in your head.