Keeping Christ in Christmas

Those of you who follow me on Facebook might remember me talking about this before, but today I recieved 3 more emails reminding me to "Keep Christ in Christmas" so I thought I would talk about it again.

I understand what people are saying..honestly. I agree..if you believe in Christ, He should be the center of this holiday. He should be celebrated. Not just at Christmas..but each and every day, and all throughout the year. Christians all over the world should unite and not just give lip service to Christ, but worship him..so "that those who don't know Christ, will come to know him, just by knowing you." That doesn't mean telling people what they should do..it means SHOWING them what it means to be Christ-like.
The month of December has other celebrations in it..each with an awesome story..and each should be celebrated. To say to someone.."You should say Merry CHRISTmas and not Happy Holidays" is telling them that no other December holiday should be observed. We live in a world where different beliefs must co-exist. Stores must serve all people, so when they say "Happy Holidays" they are not being disrespectful..they are honoring ALL the celebrations, ALL the beliefs, ALL the religions. To be offended when someone says "Happy Holidays" to you is just plain silly. They aren't denying Christ..They are wishing a Happy Time celebrating what YOU believe.
I believe in Christ. I believe in his teachings. I try to treat all people the way He would want me too. I have kept "Christ in Christmas" I have tried to teach my son the importance of keeping "Christ in Christmas." I do not get offended when I see "Happy Holidays" written on the windows of stores. It does not diminsh my faith, nor does it make me angry that people don't celebrate Christ. This season is more than the birth of Jesus. It is a time for the "Good will of Men to Shine forth." It is the season of pure and simple LOVE. It is the season where we put aside our petty differences, and love one another. Give the gift of love..of understanding.
So, I promise, I will keep "Christ in Christmas" but I may,on occasion, say Happy Holidays..not to offend, but to make sure that those around me know that I wish them, no matter their beliefs, a very Happy Time celebrating this magical season...

Congratulations Elder Elkins

My very best friend's very cute son, Geran got his mission call. Again, normally I am a very sarcastic girl, but I have nothing to be sarcastic about today. I am soooo proud of this young man. He is such a good example! Grant and I love him like a son, and Macen considers him a "brother from another mother"

He has been called to the Sendai, Japan mission!! (He has a soft spot for Japan, so I am glad he gets to go)

It will be hard work, and his mom will miss him something fierce, but I know he will be amazing!

So, Elder Richard Geran Elkins....Congratulations! We love you!

"Z" I am Thankful for Zoolander

I know it's crazy, but I love this movie. It makes me laugh! I watch it when I am in a bad mood! My niece Courtney got me to watch it, and I have never laughted so hard. It's dumb AND smart at the same time! I am grateful to all the movies that make me laugh! Laughing is my favorite thing to do!

"I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is."

" So join now, 'cause at the Derek Zoolander Center For Kids Who Can't Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too, we teach you that there's more to life than just being really, really, really good looking. Right kids? "

"Orange Mocha Frappuccino! "

"Y" I am Thankful for the word "Yes"

I love to use the word "Yes" I like it more than the words "No," "Maybe," or "We'll see."

Can I do that extra 10 situps? YES!

Can I be extra kind today? YES!

Do I have the strength to stand up for my beliefs? YES!

Do I have the courage to stand alone? YES

Can I be anything I want to be? YES

Can I be understanding? YES

Can I show love to those who can't? YES

I love the word YES. It gives me hope on days that I am hopeless!

'X" I am thankful for quotes by Malcolm X

Again, I love to study American History, and true American Heroes... One of the people I admire is Malcolm X. He was an astonishing character in our history. His quotes talk to everyone.. I am Thankful for people like Malcolm X..they bring about change...and change is good!

"A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything."

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against."

"Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression."

"Stumbling is not falling."

"W" Wazi!!!

Oh Waziyatah..how I miss you. I loved my time at Wazi. Not only because of the fun times, but because of the amazing people I became friends with! Dru, Al, Misty, Aimee, Bobby, Beth (I was actually friends with her before, but our times at Wazi rocked) Dick, Dave, Stu, and so many others! I am so grateful for them! They changed my life in so many ways! This year folks..reunion time! And since I haven't said today..I love you all so very much!

"V" part 2...I am thankful for Veterans

I can not do a list without Veterans. I am so very proud of all those who served and are serving now. Thank you! We owe our veterans not only respect, but our lives. We need to live our lives so that no Veteran died in vain. Be grateful for your freedoms. Celebrate them. Cherish them! I have said this before, but I need to say it again. I am honored to be married to a veteran, to be related to veterans, and friends with amazing veterans. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

"V" The VERY first Thanksgiving!

As I have said before, I love History, and I love Thanksgiving...so today, I am combining them. I love the History of America but sadly, much is forgotten every year. The First Thanksgiving was an amazing feat. The story of the Pilgrims is one full of heartache, loss, friendship, food, tradition..it's one that should be remembered each year. So, after Macen and I talked about Thanksgiving, I realized how Thankful I am for the Pilgrims and for the Native Americans.

"U" Today I am Thankful for Utah!

I love Utah. I mean, I really love it! It's home to me! I love Salt Lake, I love the University of Utah, I love St. George, I love Panquitch Lake, I love the Utah Jazz...I love Utah. I love the mountains, the desert, the lakes, I love the people. I am thankful to have been born in Utah..I am equally thankful to have been raised outside of Utah. I hope to visit as often as possible. I hope to see all my friends and family still in Utah. Now, this does NOT mean that I love BYU..I know I know, It's IN Utah..but I will not cheer for it..but the fact that it IS in Utah, I will not pray for it's demise...Anyway..Today, I am so thankful for my home state!!

Today it's "T" Thankful for.....

Today was an easy letter.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Thanksgiving, I LOVE LOVE LOVE turkey, and most of all I LOVE LOVE LOVE being together with my husband after 2 years of him being in Japan. I know it's a little early, but I am so excited for Thursday. I am excited to cook with him, I am excited to munch on left overs with him..I'm just excited to look across the table on Thanksgiving day and see him there! So, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. May you be with the ones you are Thankful for!

"S" Stinky Face, how I love you!

"I love you, my wonderful child," said Mama as she tucked me in. But I had a question.....

But Mama, but Mama, what if I were a super smelly skunk, and I smelled so bad that my name was STINKY FACE???

"Then I would give you a bath and sprinkle you with sweet-smelling powder. And if you still smelled bad, I wouldn't mind, and I would hug you tight and whisper in your ear, 'I love you, Stinky face'"

This is the story that I read Macen from the time I found out I was having a boy. The night that I was home with him, I read it to him, and as he grew he would giggle every time I got to the Stinky Face part of the book. We still call him "Stinky" (sometimes for a different reason) Today, I am so thankful for my "Stinky Face" and for the many many stories that I have been able to read to him. I am so thankful for the many stories that he is able to read to me! So Macen..."I LOVE YOU STINKY FACE" (and I always will)

"R" Today, it's all about Regis

I know it sounds silly. I mean, for goodness sake, I don't even know the man..but for 20 years he has made me laugh! I watched him during the "Kathy Lee" years, I smiled while he searched for a co-host, I loved him during the "Kelly" years..and I have smiled every time he's on Letterman!

Today he said goodbye..and I have to admit, my day seems a little emptier. So, though I don't know you Regis, I am thankful for the smiles you have given me!

"Q" Today I am thankful for "Quickies"

I have been with my husband for 13 years. He's an amazing man..and we really do have a great relationship. That being said, I have no problems blogging about the fact that I love Quickies. I do. He and I are so busy with other things, that sometimes a quickie is the only time we can be alone together. I am thankful that even after 13 years, I love to be with my husband!!!

"P" Pam: Practically Perfect Person

Today I celebrate Pam! This woman is my role model..heck, she's a role model for a lot of people. She has been a Navy Wife for 30 years! I can't even imagine that..she seems so young! She must have gotten married at birth!! She shows us gals married to sailors how to stay strong. She shows us how to stand straight and proud for the work our husbands do. She shows ME how to be a good Navy Wife. She's an amazing mom, and an even more amazing friend! She just started he own blog today..and it's fantastic..if you feel like reading a little bit about her life check out :

http://pam-forschfollies.blogspot.com/2011/11/on-being-navy-wife.html

Anyway..Today I want Pam, and all of you to know how very THANKFUL I am that she is in my life. I love you Pam-a-lot!

"O" ....Oh what should I choose

Today is the letter "O" and I couldn't decide what I was thankful for...Obama (Yes I STILL love our President) Oprah (She fascinates me) Opinions (you know I have many) Oxygen (you know we need it) Another "O" that I can't say on this blog..but you all know what it is..but, after all those choices, I realized that I am actually the most thankful for OPTIMISM. I think it's so important..and I think I am a really optimistic person. So, today, on this lovely "O" blog..I am very positive that I am thankful for my optimism!

Today, the letter "N"

My Best friend Nan...yup...I am very thankful for this chick! She makes me happy. She's an amazing person. I miss her so much. I keep telling her she's gonna have to be my sister wife so she can live wherever I do. She is so awesome. She is the brains behind the operation. She is the jelly to my peanut butter. She is the knot in my rope. She is the beer to my glass, the macaroni to my cheese. I know that I mentioned her on the "F" post, but I love her sooo much that she gets her own post today. She really does make my heart smile! So, Nan, my friend, please remember how much I adore you! I love you and I WILL see you soon!

M is for MY MOM!!

There are many people in my life that I am thankful for...but there is one that stands above the rest..and since today's letter is "M" it is fitting that I dedicate today's posting to that one person...My MOM! I love my mom. Growing up with a person like my mom was an adventure. Her costumes, her laugh, her singing, her cleaning, her decorating, her humor. She is such an amazing woman! I am so thankful to have a mom like mine! She makes me smile. She makes my heart happy all the time. She is my role-model, my friend, my teacher (and my student) This is a woman who can do anything she sets her mind to do. She gives me courage to stand up for what I believe. She allows me to be the person that I am. I know there are times she just shakes her head and wonders why I do the things I do..but she also bows her head to pray for my safety. I love my mom. She is who I hope to be most like as I go on my path of life. Thank you mom!

"I often go walking

in meadows of clover

and I gather armfuls of blossoms of blue

I gather the blossoms

the whole meadow over

Dear mother all flowers

remind me of you
O mother,

I give you my love with each flower

To give forth sweet fragrance a whole lifetime through;

For if I love blossoms and meadows and walking,

I learn how to love them, dear mother, from you."

"L" I am Thankful for LOVE

I love LOVE! I do. In every form! I love the way I love husband and he loves me. I love the way we both love Macen..and he loves us. I love the way animals love their owners..even when the owners are schmucks. I love friendship love. I love family love. I love LOVE! It's the best feeling in the world..and nothing can hurt as much as a loss of someone you love. Love is the greatest gift given to us. Love is the best when it is unconditional. I love LOVE! Today, show your love to anyone and everyone you see. Love is best when given away!