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Phoenix Breathe Intensive!!

click here to open post Apr 13, 2011 | posted in Breathe, For Photographers, workshops | 8 comments

I’m so excited to announce that The Breathe Intensive will be making it’s way to Phoenix, Arizona!! Our Phoenix Intensive group will be quite intimate in size, so email me at aloha{at}natalienortonblog{dot}com to reserve your seat today!

What is The Breathe Intensive?

The Breath Intensive is a business and lifestyle rework for moms. It’s a remarkable opportunity to dig deep, get clear, set goals, and learn tried and true systems that will help you balance and structure your life for ultimate success and JOY. Click here for a more detailed description.

Is The Breathe Intensive right for you?

Read sample participant profiles here.

What others are saying:

“I wrote this e-mail over and over in my head for 5 hours as I drove home last night.  ‘How do I adequately tell her what she’s done to my life?’  Two little words–’thank you’–just aren’t enough.  I came to the workshop with pretty high expectations.  You promised life change after all.  And even with that promise, you under-promised and over delivered.  Honestly.  I am so excited for the future.  For who I get to become.”

__________

“I came home from Breathe feeling so refreshed.  Excited for the future.  Excited to ACT and to DO.”
__________

“Yesterday we had a friend of the boys over for dinner. Reed said to him, ‘My mom used to be on the computer all the time. But now she’s only on it sometimes, and she sets the timer. It’s really cool, dude.’ My 8-year-old. Bragging! About my progress! About my effort to prioritize! :) Made my heart happy, so happy, and so full.”
__________

“Thank you for your continued involvement with all of us.  It’s a testament to your character that you continue to stay invested in all of us even after the workshop is over.  It’s the workshop that keeps on giving.”
__________

“Since attending Breathe, I’ve really tried to make some big adjustments. . . .I’ve been spending more time with my kiddos and less time on the computer. I set business hours and am really trying to stick to them. I’ve begun to say “no” to things I don’t want to shoot so that the time I spend away from my family working is time doing something that I’m passionate about.”
__________

From an attendee’s happy husband:

“I have been meaning to e-mail you and let you know how much of an impact you’ve had on our life in such a short time.  We’re still working through all the info Jenny got from your Breathe workshop, and we’ve came up with some pretty cool ideas. . . .Just wanted to let you know that you’re doing some wonderful things in this world that are bringing joy to many people, making life easier and more enjoyable, and many other things. . . . Just awesome stuff, really!”

Can’t wait to see YOU in Phoenix!

Register online, here, or email me at aloha{at}natalienortonblog{dot}com with any questions you might have!


8 comments | add comment
  • Kristy Carlson: People! You need to GET yourselves there! This woman is worth meeting and hearing, but so are YOU. We all need this push and reminder about what REALLY matters. And Nat, when are you gonna do one in Africa? :) April 13, 2011 9:45 pm
  • Ajja DeShayne: i adore what others are saying! April 13, 2011 10:41 pm
  • Shelly: Wow! Those are some amazingly awesome testimonials! Sounds incredible! April 14, 2011 4:54 am
  • Lindsay: If you're debating whether or not to go to this, QUIT DEBATING. Go. Sign up. RIGHT NOW. I promise you, promise you, promise you, it is worth every single penny. It really will change your life. Change your perspective. Change your outlook on the future. Change your priorities (so they're in the right order). Change your hope. And if you let it, it will change who you are and who you will become. I'm not a dramatic person. I'm just being honest. Such an amazing experience and honestly one that is still going on. Even after the workshop was over, Natalie has continued to be invested in all of our lives and we're all making big, big changes! Thanks Natalie. Love you. Sign up people. Sign up!! April 17, 2011 9:28 am
  • My Weekend. | Natalie Norton Photography My Weekend. | Blog: [...] Have you signed up for Breathe in Phoenix?! Tick tock! no comments | add [...] April 17, 2011 8:52 pm
  • PHX Breathe Intensive! | photos by nessa j.: [...] she is coming to Phoenix! To do a Breathe Intensive Go HERE to her website for more information. I encourage all and any to attend if you can! I hear that it [...] April 17, 2011 9:55 pm
  • The Breathe Scholarship | Phoenix! | Natalie Norton Photography The Breathe Scholarship | Phoenix! | Blog: [...] mother and an entrepreneur, this workshop is for you. If you’re willing to put in the smart work, The Breathe Intensive WILL revolutionize your life from the ground [...] April 27, 2011 8:19 pm
  • Stacee: As mom of 6 kids who just received my first patent,I should be in 7th heaven. In reality I am a slave to my business working form the time i get up to the second I fall asleep in the wrinkled clothes I wore all day. I have forgotten how to make time for my self, my family, and friends. I have become a slave to my business and have a better relationship with my blackberry that I do my husband. Help me make sense out of the chaos that is now my life! May 4, 2011 5:06 am

Albertson Family

click here to open post Apr 11, 2011 | posted in Family Portraits | 15 comments

George Bernard Shaw once said, “A happy family is but an earlier heaven.” The Albertson family showed me that this theory is, in fact, absolute truth. Enjoy.



15 comments | add comment
  • Alisa Greig: yay for the albertsons--i thought i recognized the pretty faces :) great family!! beautiful, happy pictures :) April 11, 2011 8:54 am
  • shari: gorgeous! and love that quilt!!!!!! April 11, 2011 9:09 am
  • natalie: Alisa, How do you know them?! They are so wonderful, aren't they?! April 11, 2011 9:11 am
  • Shelly: Oh, WOW! These are really fantastic! Love these. Great color tones. April 11, 2011 9:13 am
  • Gina Zeidler: Freaking amazing Nat. Vibrant and Brilliant. I just want to scream YEA! April 11, 2011 10:55 am
  • Camille: Absolutely beautiful...as always. What a fun, sweet family. April 11, 2011 11:22 am
  • Alisa Greig: i referred them to you--shot her his brother's wedding in september :) April 11, 2011 12:35 pm
  • natalie: Alisa, Well! Thank you! I love them! April 11, 2011 1:02 pm
  • maggie fortson: THESE ARE INCREDIBLE!! April 11, 2011 1:36 pm
  • Jo Thomas: These just make the heart giggle! So DELIGHTFUL! And I love that quilt too! April 11, 2011 2:40 pm
  • Amy Paulson: LOVE! Such a beautiful family!!!!!! April 12, 2011 1:59 am
  • Meredith: Great photos. AS ALWAYS! BTW I have that quote in my living room. Love it! April 12, 2011 3:56 am
  • Jenn A.: Hey, what a good looking family ;) I cannot thank you enough for taking these pictures Natalie. Not only are the images amazing, but if was such a fun and easy time (not always easy with two small kids in a mosquito infested field, wink wink). And thanks to Alisa for the recommendation!! April 12, 2011 8:28 am
  • natalie: Jenn, I picked up your prints yesterday from the lab! They are GORGEOUS! Cannot wait to get them off to you! April 15, 2011 7:24 am
  • Anna Kim: Your photos have so much life in them!! I so much enjoy looking at your work. April 24, 2011 7:20 pm

I heart Utah.

click here to open post Apr 06, 2011 | posted in on the agenda, Personal | 6 comments

Redeye. Check.

Meet Richie at the airport. Check.

Drive to the Cause For Hope offices and have a REMARKABLY inspiring (and exciting) consult. Check. And PS, check these people out; they’re making real waves.

Dash off to the Triad Building in downtown Salt Lake City for an interview with KSL. Double check.

Change clothes in the parking lot. Try not to look like a wet mutt. Check… Ish. When you see the footage, remind yourself, redeye. Mahalo.

Manage said interview and all the tears that come along with it. Sniff, sniff. Check.

Jet up to Deer Valley to get our presenter packs for the LDSBC and check in to wonderfully charming Chateaux at Silver Lake. Check.

Feed Natalie’s face (for the first time in over 48 hours, truth). CHECK.

Aaaaaaaand break! What a glorious day! Mostly it was magical just being with my boyfriend sans kids. Wow, I truly think I forgot what silence sounds like. . .

I love Utah. If The Great Salt Lake had waves (and the winters weren’t so horrendous) we’d actually consider living here. Though Park City would likely be the only option for us, because I’m somewhat obsessed with this place. It feels like the skier’s version of Haleiwa. Down to Earth, relaxed, a great creative community, and of course, the landscape is amazing! Right up my alley. Again, minus the Siberian temperatures and the 97 billion feet of snow a year.

Tonight Richie and I had dinner at Zoom. Goodness gracious folks. Goodness gracious. I’d eaten there a couple of times before with my family when I was a kid, but I mustn’t have grown into my tongue yet, because I don’t remember it being anything like what we experienced tonight. Wow.

Zoom is owned by Sundance, and the walls are adorned with the most AMAZING Sundance Film Festival promotional posters! Like, seriously, some of the designs will blow your mind. I spent a good 10 minutes just standing there staring at them (Jane, you would have been drooling). I tried to find some examples of my personal favorites online, but this one was the only one I could find. If you ever find yourself in Park City, I highly recommend stopping by Zoom, if for no other reason than to enjoy these designs. . . Though visiting Zoom without also enjoying dinner, would literally be sinful.

And now, goodnight. Finally.

xx,
Me

6 comments | add comment
  • Andrea: I can't believe you are here in Utah. I would love to meet you in person. I wish I could go to the business conference but I have prior engagements that I have to be at. You are both going to be amazing! I am thinking of both of you this week. If you ever have a moment let me know. LOL Not sure that will happen but it is worth a shot. April 6, 2011 9:12 pm
  • Erika Plummer: Thanks for the post. I LOVE UTAH TOO!!! April 10, 2011 7:28 pm
  • Susan Walker: I had the pleasure of meeting and listening to, you and your husband at the conference. What honest, inspiring, and adorable people you are. Many thanks!! April 11, 2011 4:33 am
  • natalie: Andrea, I wish we'd had more than 23 seconds free! :) xx! April 11, 2011 8:41 am
  • natalie: Erika, I really am a big fan, again, minus the freezing cold. ;) April 11, 2011 8:42 am
  • natalie: Susan, THANK YOU. It was a remarkable experience for us in every way. April 11, 2011 8:43 am

Battles like these.

click here to open post Apr 05, 2011 | posted in on the agenda, Personal | 10 comments

It is officially 2011. It wasn’t official until this very moment when I started blogging, from an airplane, on my iPad. What in the world!!? The lives we lead…

This post will be short, because let’s face it, typing on your iPad gets old, fast. But hey, I could be making parchment and writing with coal … or something. It’s all a matter of perspective. (Did “they” even do that? Write with coal? I have no idea.)

I’m off to Utah for a couple of meetings, an interview, and then to speak at the LDS Business Conference on Friday. Life is BIG; can I just say that out loud? LIFE IS HUGE, and it makes me feel so small in comparison.

As I was waiting the security line this evening, I saw a young man, dressed in a suit and tie, saying a tear-filled goodbye to friends and family. He’s off to serve a 2 year, non paid, mission for his (our) church. This 19 year old boy is off to Madagascar. MADAGASCAR! He was so brave. They all were. Tears yes, but also pride, courage and more conviction than I can articulate. After we’d gone through security, he and I had a moment to chat. All I could think to say was, “It’s going to be big, it’s going to be HUGE, but God is soooooooo much bigger.” But he obviously already knew that.

Its true. God IS bigger than all of it, and the beautiful reality is that when we’re engaged in the right things, His hand is IN all of it as well. I’ll be reminding myself of this truth all week as I battle all my insecurities and a million feelings of inadequacy. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that battles like these are best won on your knees.

xx,
Me

10 comments | add comment
  • alisa greig: i love this. along with everything else you write. none of it fluff, all of it meaningful, thank you. miss you, have a blessed trip and be all the HUGE God created you to be :) April 5, 2011 9:27 pm
  • Amie W: Thank you for always helping to remind my heart what my head already knows. I so love you friend. April 6, 2011 3:30 am
  • marie rose: I'm so excited you are coming to Utah. Hopefully the weather will behave for you. How I wish I could come hear you speak. You will be fabulous! I hope you can feel my love since you will be in my neck of the woods! Always thinking and praying for you! Marie Rose April 6, 2011 5:25 am
  • Lindsay: Welcome back to Utah!! Good luck at the conference. I've heard you speak. You'll blow the people away there. Steven Covey's got nothin' on you. :) April 6, 2011 7:11 am
  • Sarah: Thank you for the beautiful reminder. God.Is.Good. April 6, 2011 7:49 am
  • Millie: Love this post so sooo much! April 6, 2011 8:02 am
  • Lillie Biesinger: I can only imagine how many people your testimony reaches. All the different missions we are serving... I love your blog, Natalie. April 6, 2011 10:33 am
  • Courtney: You are going to be amazing Natalie! Well, you already are, but you are going to be extra amazing when you get up there and speak. Wish I could be there for it. You always manage to put me back in a place of humility and thankfulness when I read your blog posts. Thank you so much for that - I need it most days. You are a true inspiration. April 6, 2011 11:49 am
  • Rachael: Thank you for inspiring me to be better! Your amazing! April 6, 2011 10:05 pm
  • Fronica: Okay, I already commented on your post prior to this one, but here I am again :) I've gone from laughing on the last post, to being teary eyed on this one. It's a good teary eyed :) Thanks for being inspiring and helping all of us to really remember what's important and true. Again, you say things so well and I love how you keep it real ;) You rock!! Oh, and by the way, coming onto your blog brings me to Hawaii (in my mind) and ooooohhhhh what I would do to be there right now, lol (Hawaii vs. England, hmmm...) Love ya Natalie, who couldn't/wouldn't?! :) keep the good posts coming and hope your week went well! April 11, 2011 12:34 am

Hair cuts make me cry.

click here to open post Apr 03, 2011 | posted in Personal | 14 comments

Pardon the silly (and blurry, and shockingly over saturated) “before” cell phone pictures. . .

Hair cuts hurt my heart. I can’t explain why, precisely. But they do. Perhaps since they’re a rarity in our home, they feel especially like a grown up thing to do. They make me feel as if I’m 14 seconds from dealing with learner’s permits and missed curfews.

____________________

I just want you to stay small. Forever and ever.

Keep climbing up on my lap (incessantly, and all at the same time, even though I GENUINELY feel like I’m going to have a claustrophobia induced panic attack). Keep jumping on my couches (even though it drives me INSANE and destroys the cushions). Keep having wrestling matches in the center of the living room (though, we did purchase you a trampoline for that very purpose). Keep jumping on my bed with pockets full of sand (even though when I climb into bed at night, I use your names in vein). Continue climbing onto my beautiful white coffee table (even though now it’s officially BEIGE). Keep leaving your wet beach towels in the back of my car (even though it makes my car smell like wet dog). Keep doing all these things that make me crazy-pants, because time’s already flying by quicker than I can catch my breath.

You just keep on driving me crazy, because if it means ONE MORE SECOND with you, I’m in. Both feet.

I love you boys. Every crazy inch.

Love,

Mom

14 comments | add comment
  • casey jensen: I love this post. Cutting hair is like you are cutting the baby out of them or something. Anyway I love this post. All the things that drive us crazy are the things we would trade for anything in the universe. : ) April 4, 2011 4:10 am
  • Kris: nat! thank you for stopping by my blog! i miss you. lots. i was just thinking this today. it is going way too fast. but i'm up to my ears in it and i love it! smiles. April 4, 2011 4:12 am
  • jen: EVERYTHING I feel about my crazy boys...and haircuts. Put perfectly. <3 April 4, 2011 7:27 am
  • Kelly: Natalie, every time you say "crazy-pants" in your blog I CRACK UP! :) I love this post. My boy just got his head BUZZED on Saturday and I have to say I love it. I love it because when his hair is closely-shaven he looks like a baby again! But I will snatch him bald because right now he's jumping from couch cushion to couch cushion...off the end tables, to boot. April 4, 2011 7:31 am
  • Jody: Thank you for the reminder! So many of those things make me "crazy-pants" too and can always use a reminder to step back:) April 4, 2011 7:45 am
  • Alicia: Thank you for this. I absolutely loved this post. I have two boys, ages 2 and 4 and I can't wait for more snotty noses to wipe and bums to spank, for hugs and kisses to give and messes to clean up. Thank you, Natalie! April 4, 2011 8:40 am
  • Jenn A: Natalie- I just found a half eaten cup of yogurt in Grace's room (followed the ants AND the stench). When asked why she would do that, Grace replied "Because you always say if I don't eat everything you give me, I won't grow up big and tall. But I couldn't finish all the yogurt. So I saved it to finish later. So I won't be short like you" I read your post on my self imposed time out (to keep from losing my mind about the ants in her room). Thanks for the reminder that one day I'll wish she were still home, leaving food and my mind scattered all over the house. April 4, 2011 10:49 am
  • natalie: Jenn! That is SO hilarious! Ha ha ha! She is amazing! April 4, 2011 12:24 pm
  • Bitsy: Aw your boys are so cute. I can't bring myself to cut Kalani's hair even though it is looking disgustingly similar to Bill Murry. April 4, 2011 8:35 pm
  • natalie: Bitsy, Bill Murray! Ha! You are killing me! April 4, 2011 9:41 pm
  • Jo Thomas: How perfectly and honestly you have summed up a mother's love! Oh, how my boundaries (and sanity!) stretch and bend with each day as my kids try to fit in as much fun, mischief and joy as possible. And I am so with you on the haircut thing - my youngest boy who will be 2 years old in a couple of weeks has never had his hair cut. I just can't bring myself to do it, especially since he has these golden curls that I adore. My dear little Elijah is just going to have to suck it up and deal with his Rapunzel mullet until his mum gets brave enough to kiss his baby years good-bye! Or maybe it's just pay back for all the times he has run across my carpet in muddy gumboots... even though it's the middle of summer, I have no idea where he keeps finding mud and the rest of him is butt-naked. He doesn't talk much but does have "uh-oh" down pat and "rity mummy" (pretty mummy) with a big hopefully face as he is standing in some disaster!! Thanks, Natalie, for the reminder that these moments are forever precious. I never would've thought I would love living on the brink of a happy insanity SO much!!! xo April 5, 2011 3:01 pm
  • Fronica: Hey Natalie, I love your posts. It's been too long since I've checked out your blog. This post made me laugh, it is so true and you are so good with your words. Many moms can relate to what you've said about all the craziness and the joy! April 11, 2011 12:25 am
  • natalie: Jo, your comments always make me smile, ear to ear. April 11, 2011 9:23 am
  • Tory: See that's what I mean!! They drive me CRAZY PANTS!! LOL. Tomorrow I am going to wake up - tell myself to be patient & then think of you saying YOU'RE CRAZY PANTS :) LOVE! xo April 12, 2011 9:09 pm