Another tradition...

 Every year we pick a song that we all agree on. It is usually our Christmas song of the year. We each submit a few ideas and then listen to them. We sometimes get the same song, just sung by two different people. Last years winner was Faith Hill's "A Baby Changes Everything." This year we had a few good submitions but we all agreed on Andrea Bocelli's "I Believe." I think the line in this song that got us was "Find the power of your

Faith." That really hit home for all of us. Faith is believing, Faith is what Christmas is all about. If we didn't have our Faith, we wouldn't have anything. I cannot say I am a perfect person. I have flaws and I embrace them. I think we all strive to be better people. Having my Faith, has made me understand so much more then I think I could have without it.

For me growing up, we always went to Church. Sundays and Wednesdays. I loved it. You were always excited to see your friends and hang out. Yeah you had class and church but you just loved being around all your friends. In middle school/high school, you start to get more questions. Why do I believe? Why doesn't everyone believe what I do? Is this the life I really want? I was fortunate to have some amazing teachers and some fantastic people I could turn too. My parents and my family. When I say my family I mean my church family also. I was always surrounded by people that loved me and I loved back and were always there to answer my questions. I had quite a few great people that helped my through situations and even misunderstandings. Through my 20's I think I have really figured out so much. I am not done learning. I will never be done. But here are a few things that I know, for me, that I need.

1) God. Daily prayer and reading His word, has done wonders for me. Especially recently. Yesterday for instence. I read about 2 hours just about trials and tribulations and how to overcome and get through them. It's amazing to have one Book to help solve or show you so many things. I am thankful that I can do this freely and that even though I do have friends that don't believe, I can still let my light shine through. Yes, I do have friends that aren't the greatest of Christians. At times, I may not be either. But that is the beauty of it. I know I can always ask for forgiveness, work on whatever it is that has been effecting me and move on. I do not believe I can keep doing the same things over and over and ask for forgiveness. I obviously wouldn't be listening. I am just thankful for a forgiving yet jealous God. He has a right to be jealous. Myself included, I know we may all get caught up in worldy pocessions. I just have to check my self every once in a while. I have my faith and my family. That is all I need

2) Family. The definition of family is: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head. I look at it as God is the head and we are all living under his roof. My family just isn't my hubby, son, parents, sister and so on. My friends and people I don't even know are my family. I will say I am very blessed with my immediate family. I have a fantastic hubby that is not just my hubby but one of my best friends. We can talk for hours and lose track of time. He is my rock and is still pretty spontaneous! Almost 4 years of marriage we still have dates at least twice a month. I love that man and we are always growing together. Jake. I can't even express the love I have for this child. He makes days to bright! I am so thankful for that child in my life. We have been so blessed with him. I couldn't have asked for a better son!! My parents of course. We have had our ups and downs. I was a teenager at one point! Ha! I can honestly say that are best friends of mine. I can talk to them about anything and feel like...I can't even explain it. It's amazing how far you come from being a teenager till now. I wasn't the worst teenager alive but I still was a little sassy pants! I apologize for that one! I could go on and on, but I won't.

3) Friends. They really should be in the family category but that would make a long point #2. We, as in Michael and myself, have changed a lot over the past 2 years. We are thankful for the friends that have changed with us and saddened by the ones that haven't or that we have lost contact with. We are slowly but surely getting those relationships back that are wanted by the other side. I have also been very fortunate to have a few friends from the past revive and be even stronger then ever. We have also met a crew of new friends that make life so joyful and a blast! We have the same interests and beliefs. We are just very thankful for everything God has blessed us with in this category!

4) Jobs. We have been very thankful that both of us have been able to keep our jobs this past year. We have been through friends and even family getting laid off. It's a difficult situation but faith really has kept these people going! Just recently one of our forever great friends just got a job! Bonus is that it's in Des Moines. I know my job just plain stinks sometimes but I just need to have a better attitude about it! Lol! We need to be thankful that we are okay and that we have security in knowing that right now, our jobs are safe!

5) All other! This is a wide category. Mainly because I have written so much already! The spirit of Christmas is running through everyone right now. I think I am most excited that it's the Christ part that is running through our family. Jake is so excited over the birth of baby Jesus. He can't wait to read the Christmas story and he wants to give all his gifts to Jesus! I think it's absolutely precious! He points down the the presents under the tree and says, those are for Jesus. Melts my heart every time. Michael and I never exchange gifts. Our gift is always one another. That gift is never ending and it's one of the most amazing gifts we could ever get. Each year we in a way, we renew the vows we did before every one almost 4 years ago. That is all I need. Gifts are just gifts. I can live without them. My lova and my son...now I can never live without them. I am just very thankful and very blessed!

Well back to the point of this whole blogfest. The song. I will attach the song once I am done typing!

Just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and remember the Christ is the reason for the Season. Gifts are just things, but your Faith and Family are what matters most. I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas and if you cannot be with your family, know they love you! Safe travels to anyone that is out on the roads. I know here, it's getting pretty messy!!

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

I Believe

By Andrea Bocelli

One day I'll hear
The laugh of children
In a world where war has been banned.

One day I'll see

Men of all colours
Sharing words of love and devotion.

Stand up and feel
The Holy Spirit
Find the power of your faith.

Open your heart
To those who need you
In the name of love and devotion.

Yes, I believe.

I believe in the people
Of all nations
To join and to care
For love.

I believe in a world
Where light will guide us
And giving our love
We'll make heaven on earth.

I believe in the people
Of all nations
To join and to care
For love.

I believe in a world
Where light will guide us
And giving our love
We'll make heaven on earth.

Yes, I believe.

I believe in the people
Of all nations
To join and to care
For love.

I believe in a world
And giving our love
We'll make heaven on earth.

I believe.