Merry Christmas

For this blog you might want to scroll down and turn off the music I have playing.  I have videos to watch on here!!

Now that I am older I really find myself struggling to write a Christmas list.  It is the season of giving, but really do we remember why we give?  And do we remember that it IS NOT about getting?

Meaning of Christmas simply quoted in Charlie Browns Christmas (it really makes me happy that a cartoon brought in the REAL meaning of Christmas meaning CHRIST meaning they brought in religion. ...I could rant about how Christ is being taken out and people use the holiday as gifts .. including those who don't believe in Christ...working retail you see things you would second guess about)
BACK TO WHAT I WAS SAYING...

Now I use the video because every time I read the verses I hear him saying it. 



We have Christmas because Christ was born this day.  He was born to be an example and to die for us so that we might live again.

Every Christmas Eve we watch The Muppet Christmas Carol.  I could post just about every song on here but I will just post 2 of them that really get to me every year and I do try to keep the message with me year round.



You will understand what Christmas is all about.  In all the places you find love it feels like Christmas.  It is SO SO SO SO much more then getting gifts.  Christ didn't just come to the Earth and do good things once a year.  We have this day because He was born but we should live out lives as he did.  Giving every day of our lives and sharing the love and joy we have with  others.



We could all learn a thing or two from Tiny Tim.  Such big strong words from a little guy.  He knows the meaning.  It should be every day not just this one day a year.

I could keep posting more videos from the movie but I wont make you all sit here for hours reading and watching videos .. though its the best movie ever pretty much and if you have never seen it you should.

I hope we all can remember the true meaning of Christmas and take it with us every year.

Now for the fun part for me just a few pictures from the night/day where I can show off my Nephew (It was Orry's First Christmas!!) and SOME of the wonderful things I received today from my family that I am so grateful for.  ....I really tried not to post a lot but somehow I still posted half of the pictures I took.  Sorry I got carried away!

As I post this the day is almost over but the spirit of Christmas should be something year round not just one day.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and will have a happy New Year and we can remember these things year round this up coming year.



<3  Erin Christina 

People

As a disclaimer on this post.  Often times when you read something and you feel like it is pointed at you, even if it is not, you might be having some guilty feelings of your own.  

Why do some people just feel the need to bring other people down?  Or get the thought that they are better then other people? Or treat the person they married family like they are not important at all.

There is a bunch of stuff that just makes me stressed, mad, want to cry, and I just don't know what to do with so many different emotions going through my head because of many different situations. 

I recently cut a very good friend out of my life.  All this person was doing was hurting me and lying to me in one way or another.  Even if the friend wasn't the one lying to me if it makes other people tell lies to me I don't want to deal with it.  So everyone surrounded in the lies I just don't care to deal with.  People need to watch their actions no matter what they are going through in their lives.  We all have our trials and struggles.  I have taken crap and been stabbed in the back way to many times to let someone just walk all over me and lie to me day by day.  Maybe when they figure out what is important in their lives they can be a real person with me, but until then I wont be used. 

All we can do in this life is try.  We have our hard times and those are there to make us stronger.  To look on the bright side and see all that we have been given.  Hold on to our hopes and our faith.  Believe, pray, try, endure to the end. 

Now lets get off that rant before I start saying more things I should not say.

So here is a new count down lined up for you: 

TOMORROW!!! Seeing Sherlock Holmes!
6 days till Kris is off his mission and can give me a phone call
10 days till Christmas Eve
11 days till Christmas day
12 days till my Uncle and 2 of my cousins from Canada visit
14 days until I leave for Idaho
16 days until New Years Eve
17 days until New Years Day
18 days until I see everyone in Idaho again (See KRIS and also help Jenn move in to her apt)
19 days until I start my student teaching

....I cannot believe all this is happening in LESS then 20 days.  Life doesn't just stop for you.  You have to keep going and taking what you get.  No one ever said it would be easy, but I have been told that it will be worth it.  I have been promised many great things and I intend to be able to keep living my life so I may receive those blessing that have been promised. 


<3  Erin Christina

Officially

I have made contact with my cooperating teacher!!  3 weeks from today is when I start my student teaching and I am really excited.  This will be a brand new experience for me.  I have been in k-3 classrooms but never a 4th grade.  So my teacher told me the class is excited to to have a student teacher and I hope they like me and I don't disappoint them.  I cannot wait to meet Heather Andrews and her class.  Heavenly Father has a plan and I hope I am on the path he has directed me on to.  I am excited for the changes coming up and everyday I am more excited to be where I am and at the same time a little nervous and scared but I am pushing forward with a prayer in my heart. 

<3   Erin Christina

wow

I have a pretty blessed life.  Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for the things and people I have in my life.  My life isn't perfect and my life isn't easy but it is my life and it was given to me, the good and the bad, and I will live it and do what I can to live it to the fullest. 

PS.I have been meaning to mention books I have been reading and so the last 8 books I have read have been AMAZING!  They are books I will have in my classroom some day (I only own one of the series I have read, borrowed the others). I highly recommend The Huger Games Books to anyone and everyone and also the Percy Jackson and the Olympians as well.  I am not starting The Lost Hero and cannot wait to continue the adventure.  

<3  Erin Christina

What More Can I Say

Simply Stated: The church is true.

At times my mind is just blown away by the little things that I can look over or those huge slaps in the face and how I had not realized what was going on. 

I sometimes tend to find myself kind of just wrapped up in my own little world I don't really notice what is going on outside.  And it isn't a "everything is about me" wrapped up, more like I am just moving along and just really not taking much time to "smell the roses" 

Most of you all who read this know of the fact that I was supposed to do student teaching this fall but because of the test I did not get to and was, how I saw it, stuck here.  I was bitter and hated life.  I had lost all my faith in myself and my choices.  I was pretty much the only person who thought I could not. 
---> This brings me to a point I came across while watching The Green Lantern tonight with my family.  I am a weird person but I like to find the little light of truth in everything...want to know what I mean watch any movie with me and I will point out something to do with the gospel in it.   ANYWAYS! For those of you who don't know the plot the Green Lanterns' power comes from will..it they will it they can make it.  Their enemy is fear.  Fear sucks everything out of you.  And the main thing about being a green lantern is that you fear nothing.  Well long story short the green lantern from Earth has to over come his fear to destroy fear.  Sometimes this means we have to admit that we are afraid or we can never conquer our fear and "will" it away.  In gospel terms will would be faith and faith and fear cannot live in us together in peace.  Just as I was so afraid of everything I had lost my faith.  Until I had admitted my fear and started to work to over come it.  Soon I had passed my test and I was stronger.  I conquered my fear and came out a victor.  My dear won for a while but I was able to come out of my slump and become me again. 

My best friend on a mission had noticed how much I was beating myself up over everything and he was prompted before he knew what was going on to have a talk printed.  He then knew the talk was meant for me and sent it.  "Come What May and Love It"  was the talk and has been my motto for the last few months.  Things wont always work out our way but there is a plan for us.  Even when the plans we make don't work out. 

NOW I get to go back up to Idaho for my best friends first semester up there, I get to see my other best friend that I haven't seen in 2 1/2 years, and I get to experience a grade I haven't taught in yet and will be able to expand my resume on that! 

There is so much good coming from what I thought would be the end of everything.  I am excited to be living the life that has been given to me in the way my Heavenly Father would want me to live it.  I am blessed in so many ways.   In the scriptures we learn that our faith will be tried, and that is how we gain a testimony...through the trial of our faith.  I welcome my trials and I look forward to them and what I will learn and grow from them.


<3  Erin Christina

Count Down

Yes stuff might happen before December 20th but really .. nothing count down worthy!!

16 days: Sherlock Holmes comes out and I am going to it with my bestie for the midnight showing!
20 days: Kris gets home from his mission
21 days: When I will most likely get his phone call and temple trip
24 days: Christmas Eve
25 days: Christmas
28 days: My last day at work
29 days: I leave back to Idaho and the very last time I ever take that stupid Salt Lake Express
31 days: New Years Eve
32 days: New Years day and my first day in my new ward
33 days: I go up to Rexburg and help Jenn move in and see Kris for the fist time in 2 1/2 years and hopefully go to the temple up in Rexburg
34 days: I start student teaching .... and I didn't say on my blog.  I will be teaching 4th grade!!


<3  Erin Christina

November 24

November 24th  I am thankful for family traditions. The holidays have always been such a great time filled with things we have done for years. Each little thing we do really makes the holiday because we do it together. I look forward to each year with lighting the lights on Thanksgiving, watching The Muppet Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve and many other traditions. There is a different feel that comes along with the holiday. It is more then just retail craziness. Remembering the reason for the season that is what brings us all together. I am grateful for all my many blessings. I am thankful every day for everything I have. Just not this last month, but to remember all of these things and more all year long. 

 

 

<3  Erin Christina

November 23

November 23. I am thankful for books. Dr. Seuss is one of my heroes. I loves his books and the influence they can have in children's lives. He has done so much with the words he writes and the imagination he has. "I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells." His written and made up words have even become real words we use today. Reading can open up so many doors for children and even the not so children. I love reading. I keep this book mark and use it for every book I read. I am grateful for the fact that I can read and for the fact that I will be able to share my love for reading as a teacher. Books really can take us all to knew places and teach us so much.


<3   Erin Christina

November 22

November 22. I couldn't really figure out how to take a picture of what I was thankful for so I took a picture of facebook. Really it is forms of communication. I have family that I can't talk to very often due to the fact that they live so far away. With missionary's I can write letters. With friends we can text all day if we want. Some friends we get weekly, monthly, daily phone calls to catch up. Facebook is huge that I can communicate with Canadian family or even Idaho family and keep in touch on what's going on. Email is also a good way that my grandma Elliott uses to talk to us. I am so thankful for these things to get to talk to my family and friends that I really don't ever get to see. Technology or a piece of paper and pen and a stamp either way I am so grateful for the fact I can talk to those I love who are far away.
<3  Erin Christina

November 21

Nov 21. I am thankful for clothes. I love color and wearing stuff my own style. I am happy that I have things to wear when hot or cold and stuff to wear on normal days and when I want to dress up. I really enjoy the fact there are so many different styles out there everyone can make up their own style and should be afraid to be who they are. I do not shop by label. I refuse to by anything that is advertising for where I got it covered in symbols. I am my own person and can make my own style (yes the majority of my clothes do come from kohls) I am grateful that I am able to have what I have in my closet. I probably have more then my fair share of what to wear. I really am blessed. Such a simple thing as clothes but it really is something over looked to have a different shirt to wear and a skirts and dresses and anything. I really am thankful.


<3  Erin Christina


PS ... also a happy happy birthday to my best friend Tamara who turned 23 and also brought home her boy friend this week for Thanksgiving!!  <3  I love that girl so much!

Nov 20th

November 20th. For starters, no I was not trying to be in the pic I was making noises trying to get him to make a face but every time I try to take a pic he changes his face right as the camera snaps. I cannot win!) I am thankful for this guy right here. My sweet 5 month and 5 days old nephew Orry William Elliott who finally officially made me Auntie Erin. I love this guy so much, and he is pretty spoiled with attention because we all want to hold him and play with him. Who knew how much you could really love another person so much, even before the first time I held him at 6 weeks old. I am grateful so such an amazing thing,Orry is the first of the kids of the kids. He is the continuation of our family. What a blessing a baby alone is. I am so happy this guy is my Nephew and he holds a huge spot in my heart. 

 

 <3 Erin Christina 

November 19th

Nov. 19. I am thanful for my education. The road to where I am at now has been anything but easy but I am so grateful for it all. Graduating and getting a degree was something I said I would get and I wouldn't let anything get in my way of that. I am blessed to have gone to the school and did for the cost of each semester. I think my whole amount of schooling was still less then one semester at any instate university. I know I will treasure what I have accomplished for the rest of my life. I cannot wait to do and pass student teaching and get my degree and get out into the teaching world.


<3  Erin Christina

Nov 18th

November 18th. I am thankful for pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words. I love to look at pictures and relive memories and see the joy and fun someone else had. I am grateful for all the advancements in technology that give us the opportunity to keep our memories alive and have forever.


<3  Erin Christina

November 17th

November 17th. I am thankful today for missionary's and even the mission itself. I have seen friends go and come home and have become better people and have grown up and changed a little. I have also seen that change only last a little bit and they go back to who they were before. This kid, he changed before his mission. He worked his butt off to go on a mission. I met him at one point in his life and watched him change inside and out. I always knew he could do it. I never doubted him. I am so grateful for those who chose to go on a mission for the right reasons with the right mind set. Who really make a change not only in those they are teaching but those who knew them before. I am grateful for everyone who has, is, and will go on a mission. And I cannot wait till Kris gets home on Dec 20th and I get to see him in Jan.


<3  Erin Christina

November 16

November 16. I am thankful for the temple and the chance I have to be able to go and spend time in the lords house and do his work. I am grateful that I can go and spend time and feel the spirit and grow closer to my Heavenly Father. I love the temple. I am blessed to have one close by.


<3  Erin Christina 

November 15

Nov 15th. I'm thankful for best friends. This amazing woman is just one of my most favorite people. My rock and such a huge support. I am grateful for all the people in my life who have been there for me and supported me through many hardships and trials. I would be lost if it wasn't for all my amazing friends. I love all of you. I am so blessed to have and know the people I do in my life. Thank you all. I love you so much.


<3  Erin Christina

Novemeber 14

November 14th. I'm thankful for my laptop. It has been a good yet hard 4 years with her but we are going strong. I am grateful she has gone a year now without any huge problems. She has had 3 hard drives, a new charger cord and a new battery. She has fallen off of stuff and over heats badly. But she has so much of my life on her and the times I have not had her because she didn't work were hard times. I am thankful my parents got me the laptop for school and I was able to use it and not have to have everything on a flash drive and live in the library . I love my laptop.


<3  Erin Christina

Nov 13

November 13th. I am thankful for my two favorite drinks. I LOVE pumpkin anything really and well I could not live without my DDP. I am grateful for such yummy things to either just drink with lunch or a nice treat to end the day with.

<3  Erin Christina

Nov 12

November 12. I am thankful for a bed and blanket. Yes important to have the 2. Up at school I didn't have a blanket and had to use sheets or little blankets. I am lucky to have what I have. Not everyone has a bed or has a blanket. I am grateful to be able to have a bed to sleep in and to nap in every night. To keep me warm and keep me comfortable.


<3  Erin Christina

Novemeber 11th

Nov 11th.  I know it is a really bad picture of a picture but it is of my friend who gave his life for all of us to live and have all we have.  Today I am thankful for all those who give up their lives so that we might live. Ben died for out rights.  I am so grateful for all of the people who died, who fought and who are fighting now for us.  I have a lot of friends who are fighting for us, and even family who did fight.  We have the chance to be thankful, to be happy, to live, to laugh, to love because of what these men and women have, do, and will do for us.


<3   Erin Christina

#10

November 10th.  I am thankful for my daddy .. because I kinda needed a daddy to be here.  Hah.  But really  I am so happy I have the dad that I have.  We may not get alone 100% of the time but I love him so much.  Today was his birthday (He doesn't look his age does he?  He is a grandpa .. I mean a "papason")  I am grateful for all that he does for me and how he supports me in all I do.  I am a very lucky girl to have him for my daddy.   I love you daddy and once again Happy Birthday!


<3  Erin Christina

Nov 9th

Nov 9th  I am thankful for good music.  For music you can dance to that makes you happy like the stupid look on my face.  Music that you truly love and enjoy.  That you can relate to and just completely fall in love with.  I LOVE music.  It is such a huge part in my life and that is why it is huge on my resume and why I get to teach music in my classroom.  I am grateful to all music.  I love music. 


<3  Erin Christina

Nov. 8th

November 8th.  I am thankful for the weather.  I love rainy cold cloudy weather.  It makes me happy.  It is this time of year that it starts smelling like Christmas outside too.  I am grateful that we can have all different kinds of weather, but this kind is by far my favorite kind of weather.

<3  Erin Christina

#7

November 7th.   I am thankful for my heritage.  My dad's side of the family comes from Canada.  I was even born there and lived there a few years before we moved to Texas.  I still have family up there that I love and miss so much.     I am grateful to know where I come from and to have pride and love for who I am.  I am not ashamed of where I come from.  I love learning about my family history and knowing about how we got to where we are today.  It really is interesting talking to both sides of my family.  I really am happy I can be a little different.  In elementary school I got to teach lessons on Canada and bring in money and treats.  My dad even came in one day to my history class in 6th grade after he got his American citizenship and taught about how he went about doing that.  I love my past.  Knowing where I have come from is a huge blessing.


<3  Erin Christina

November 6th

November 6th. I am thankful for Mr. Bo Jangels. I love this guy so much. He has been by my side for so many years now it is just like I have grown up with him. He is my best friend and has always been there for me. He has dried many tears and given me so much comfort. I will never forget that I begged my dad to let us bring him home when we found him down by the lake. He is pretty much my guardian angel. I am grateful to have this guy in my life. It is funny how use you can get to something/someone. The nights I have to go to sleep without by my side it is harder to sleep. I love my cat so much. He really is part of the family and such a huge part of me. I would do anything for this guy. Thank you Bo for being my cat and loving me and always being there for me. No amount of words could ever help me describe how much I am thankful for him, I could go on forever and ever about him.

 

<3  Erin Christina

November 5th

Nov 5th. I am thankful for my job. I absolutely love my job and I am so happy to have been able to leave and come back as I have for the last 4 years. I am grateful not only to have a job at a place I love but with people I love. My coworkers are my 2nd family. We know each other and talk and support. I can leave for 7 months and come back and its just like I never left. I love my job and my kohls family so much. I am so thankful for them. ♥


<3 Erin Christina

November 4th

Nov. 4th  I am thankful for Air conditioning and Heating.  AC is such a beautiful thing for Texas summers and heat for Idaho winters.  Also I don't know what is wrong with me but I get cold pretty easily and hot really easy.  As I drive in the car I am constantly going back and forth from heat to cold to heat to cold.  I am grateful to the amazing person who came up with the idea of heating houses and cooling them down as well.  Now if only I could be thankful that the cost was cheep .. sadly it is not.

<3 Erin Christina

Nov. 3rd Thankfulness

November 3rd. I am thankful for the gospel. It is a big part of my life. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that Christ lived and died for me and for all of us so that we might be able to live and to learn and to grow. There is a plan for all of us. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and he watchers over me and all of us. My life has been so greatly blessed. I am so grateful to have the knowledge I have, to live my life the way that I have chosen to live. I would be completely lost without the gospel in my life. Even in this time when so many people are bringing down the church and saying things that they don't fully understand. I stand proud and strong for what I believe in. I am a christian. I am happy to answer any questions anyone has about the LDS church. I am thankful for the gospel and the huge part of my life that it is.

 

<3  Erin Christina

I am Thankful for (2)

Nov 2nd. I'm thankful for socks. As crazy as it sounds I have abnormally cold feet and when the weather gets colder it gets worse and socks keep my feet warm. Its a super small thing I do not take for granted. I am grateful for the many things that help keep me warm during the colder months and more so as I live in Idaho

<3  Erin Christina