Put a little love in your heart

Lately I've been discussing with my daughter the importance of doing nice things for other's without expecting something in return, just for the sake of doing it. We are having struggles around our house of "wheeling and dealing" for every little task to be done. Are we raising a generation of children that demand rewards for every little task or chore? I admit I do resort to bribery on a regular basis, and so in a sense it's partly my fault.

So, I thought to myself, am I any better at doing thing's for others? Do I expect something in return? This month I have challenged myself (and you can do the same if you like) to try and do at least one kind thing every day. Now I'm not talking about baking a huge batch of cookies, or buying someone an expensive present. It could be something as small as taking the time to visit with a neighbor, sending a happy e-mail, or giving a friendly wave (even to that grouchy person who never waves back). I know when I am the recipient of a kind gesture it brightens my whole day and I feel like passing that feeling on. Happiness is so contagious, I've always been drawn to happy up-beat people. By the end of December I hope that I will have made someones day, made someone feel less lonely, or let them know they have a friend in me. I know it is so "Miss America" to say you want peace on earth, but really this time of year, it doesn't sound so cheesy. So if you want, you can join me and put a little love in someones heart today!

Political Christmas

I really wanted to post some pictures of our Christmas lights we put up, (to prove that we actually put some up this year) but wouldn't you know that my camera is out of batteries and there are no more to be found in our house. You can tell we are really prepared for any sort of emergency situation. So I thought I'd share this poem with you that someone posted on our family website. It is a parody on "Twas the night before Christmas". If you aren't interested in politics this might not amuse you as much as it did me.

" Twas the month before Christmas when all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying, nor taking a stand.
How the PC (political correct) police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teacher would say
December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get IT!
CDs from Madonna, an XBox, and I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken and Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
INCLUSIVE, SENSITIVE, DI-VER-SI-TY
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And WE spoke not a word, as they took away our faith,
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me,
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say,
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!"

I'm not sure who wrote this, but it certainly hits the nail on the head of how this time of year, the true meaning of why we even celebrate Christmas is lost and forgotten by many. I was saddened to see that my daughters school does not have a Christmas concert. Is this a normal across the town thing, or just at her school? I'm not sure since this is my first child to attend. One thing that I think is really neat is that many local churches band together at Christmas time to do good works and also have that big annual Christmas concert (have any of you gone?). I try and concentrate on the good things that I see people doing this time of year, and teach my daughter the real reason of why this time of year is so special.

I am fortunate that I grew up in a place where our school's held big festive Christmas concerts and activities, our town had an annual tree lighting ceremony in the city park where choirs would sing religious carols, it was a tradition that the seniors had our own private Christmas party and made ornaments and stockings to decorate our SCHOOL tree, that every Christmas Eve our family would gather and we would have the little ones act out the nativity and listen to my grandfather read from the scriptures about our Saviour's birth.

So as for me, I will be shouting greetings of "Merry Christmas" to all.

Random thoughts on a Monday morning

-My five month old is obsessed with electrical outlets and cords already, I'm in trouble. He is a blur as he sprints by me in his walker.Yes I said SPRINTS. We have to shut all of the bedroom and bathroom doors so he doesn't get into mischief. HELP! He figured out how to balance when I try to sit him up by himself and is doing the inch-worm crawl and roll method. The Christmas tree has taken a severe beating already.

-We put the finishing touches on our Christmas lights last night, I will have to post some pictures of it tomorrow. They look nice, even though one of our annoying neighbors (who didn't have his hearing aids in by the way) stopped by for a good 20 minutes or more and proceeded to tell us that we used the Jewish holiday colors of blue and white, and aren't we Mormon?

- Riley had to take Kendle to the bus stop this morning and talk to the bus driver about someone that took Kendle's hat last week. The bus driver had the hat, but of course claimed to know nothing about the incident. This is only about the tenth bus-related problem we've had so far this school year. I'm about done with the big yellow monster.

-We found out our new church time will be 2:30, which we've been informed by our friends in 6th ward is the worst possible time ever, but after moping around yesterday I'm trying to put a positive spin on it. Suggestions anyone?

- I have a junk food hangover from this weekend and need to get my booty on the treadmill and sweat it out, not to mention throw out the rest of the tempting stuff still lying around. To all my dear friends out there, if you really care about me do not bring me holiday goodies this year. That is probably the best gift you can give me. I've got to shed this baby weight that is threatening to set up permanent residence.

Just some of the random things going through my head today.

Victory!

38-31 final score, Beavers win!!!!!!! Overtime, bad calls, and more. What a game.