CHRISTmas, not X-mas...

About five years ago, I was sitting in church, and I was passing a note back and forth to my friend, and I believe I asked her "What do you want for X-mas?" She replied by crossing out the "X" in X-mas, and replaced it with Christmas. "I never use the word X-mas because it crosses out the word Christ." I was taken aback by that statement, I didn't even realize what that had meant! I thought that was just a short cut for the word when writing it. That has stuck with me ever since and I can't help but think about that every time Christmas comes around. I think that this is exactly what the world has done with Christmas, they take Christ out of it. We all really need to check ourselves and remember what this time is really for. I know I had too, and it was the best thing I have ever done!

This past thanksgiving was a great experience away from home! My 3 cousins, Kymberlee, Kaelene, and Karlee, my older sister Ali and my niece Audrey, and Kyle and I all sat with our Bumpa (My mom's dad) and enjoyed our meal together, going around the table saying what we are thankful for. It was a great experience that I will never forget! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving at home, away from home, or where ever you were. It has been an interesting semester, but I think I speak for most of us college students, that I am glad it is over. (Almost). I look forward to many things! I look forward to taking out my endowments in the Salt Lake City Temple (my favorite since I was a little girl!) and getting sealed in the Dallas Temple! Kyle and I are on the right path! I know it!

So a little update, I changed my major. BUT I still want to help families, and society, and I am going to continue to do so. I am inviting you to like my page "Marriage Matters" on Facebook, to talk with a community that values the institution of marriage, and helps those in need as much as possible. I changed my major to Graphic Design, concentration in Game Design. I am very excited about this change. I am very passionate about video games, more so than the average girl (that goes without saying) and I think I would thoroughly enjoy this field. I am very excited at what lies ahead.

Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to read my blog, and I hope I help people in one way or another. I strive to be a good person everyday, I live my religion every minute of every day, not just one day a week. I encourage people to do the same. Pray to Heavenly Father, our God for peace, for the right path, or whatever it is you need, because I have a testimony that He does hear our prayers, and always has great things in store for us! I hope everyone is having a fantastic week and God bless!

~Katie B. 

November, the Thankful month!

Ah, beautiful November. I absolutely love this month. There are SO many things to love, Thanksgiving, more fall colors, cooler days, more hot cocoa, cute winter clothes, the smell of a warm fire and so much more! Also it is the "Thankful Month". I'm going to share a few things I'm thankful for, and also a trick I learned. I am thankful for the wonderful man I am proud to call my husband. He takes care of me, works for me, and loves me unconditionally. I am thankful for my awesome dog, my sweet and loving dog! I am thankful for UVU, and the great education I am receiving! I am grateful for my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, without that, to me, there would be no reason to get up in the morning.  I am thankful for my family, my cousin's Kaelene and Kymberlee, all 4 of my sisters, my wonderful niece, my brother-in-law, my awesome parents, hopefully I continue to make them proud. I am grateful for my wonderful in-laws, and my best friends.

There are so many more things I can say, but I feel like it would go on forever. I learned a trick, I don't remember where I heard this from, but if we say what we are thankful for BEFORE we go to bed we will have a more restful night's sleep, and wake up with a clear head and surprisingly more happy. I know this sounds cliche, but I have tried it and both Kyle and I wake up better and refreshed because of it! So please try it!

I am not going to lie, the election was a huge disappointment to me, but I cannot dwell on it. I have a life to live, school to go to, and things to worry about that I CAN control.  But, I do feel that my faith in Christ will keep me safe from any misfortunes, and that when Kyle and I graduate we will be okay. That is a huge worry for us, the job market and the economy. Obama supporter or not, that is undeniable. That is why I am glad it is the thankful month, I can be grateful for what I have, and not focus on things I cannot control.

I try for this blog to be an uplifting for anyone who needs it, including myself. I try to put myself out there, for anyone to see, because I have nothing to hide. Absolutely nothing. I am a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am a hardworking married college student, a house wife, and a life partner! I try to have fun in anything I do, no matter what it may be, and I love being married! I want my life's work to be rebuilding the family unit in this country. I am thankful for families! I have a huge one myself, on both my father and mother's side. One's catholic and one is Mormon, and I am grateful to be apart of both! I absolutely love it! I take pride in both. I am no longer ashamed to make mistakes, because it is what makes me a stronger and better person. I will never stop fighting for what's right, I will never change my views, and I will not cave in the sight of adversity. Never. I try to be a loving, non-judgmental person, but what's right is right and it cannot be swayed. I am grateful for my values and firm standing in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I leave this with you with a heart of gratitude for reading my blog. I hope you all have a great November and a very grateful Thanksgiving.


~Katie B.