born on CHRISTmas day...and, Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Doing the last song today, and a Merry Christmas post all in one.

So first off, Merry Christmas!!

I wish you all the very best over the holidays, and may you have a joyous Christmas.  May we all truly remember the "reason for the season".  Before you put anything else first, always remind yourself that Jesus is the reason for all of the get-togethers, presents, families, and fun.  Because Jesus was born, there is a Christmas; and because of that, we can celebrate Christmas with all the fun.  But, always put Jesus first.

Song #25

Born on Christmas Day

Brad Paisley

Yes, it is a Brad Paisley one, but it is truly an amazing song, that is perfect for Christmas Day.  It talks about Jesus' birth, and how important it was.  Take a listen, you will really like this song. 

And one last time, 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

  

christmas like a child

Song 24: Christmas Like a Child

Third Day

This is a great song, that a lot of people need to hear during the Christmas season.  To get all excited about the Christmas season, and not worry about any of the rushing of gifts or Christmas food.  Just remember the "fun" of Christmas, and the real meaning of Christmas.



number 23

Tennessee Christmas

Alabama

Another oldie from 1985, by Alabama.

I'm not from Tennessee, but I absolutely love it, it's my favorite state. If I had the chance to ever live there, I would.  Never alone, but if my future husband wants to live there, I'd do it in a heartbeat.  So, when I saw the name of this song, I had to include this one in the countdown til' Christmas. 

Merry Christmas!



Merry Christmas Strait To You

Song 22:

Merry Christmas Strait To You

Yup, George Strait

Fun, little upbeat Christmas song from George Strait.

Merry Christmas!



5 days to go...song 21

Silent Night

Taylor Swift

I know many of you out there do not like Taylor Swift, some of you to the point where you cannot stand her.  I am not one of those people, and I love her version of "Silent Night".  It's a different tune than the original, and at first it may seem kind of boring, but if you finish listening to the whole thing, you'll find yourself saying that it actually was a pretty good rendition of it.  So, you can choose to listen to her or not, and hate it or don't hate it, but I will still love it.  (and might i just add that Taylor was among the best-mannered celebrities of 2011.  she was ranked #5 on the list for "inspiring young people with her music and manners")

oops, THIS is song 20:

(so, yesterday's song was actually #19, didn't really pay attention to the dates all that well, but all is fixed now)

What Child is This

Brad Paisley

Well, it's another Brad Paisley, and it's another from the CMA Country Christmas special, but this is my favorite version of "What Child is This", so I couldn't choose any other one.

It was written way back in 1865 by a man named William Chatterton Dix.  He was struck with a near-fatal illness and confined to 7 months of bedrest.  During this time he went into deep depression, yet during this time he wrote several hymns including "What Child is This".

Merry Christmas!

song 19...

I'll be Home for Christmas

Rascal Flatts

This song has a whole lot more meaning to it for those who are related to soldiers.  Ever since the war started, this song has been centered around all the troops and their families.  Although there are many soldiers who will not be home for Christmas, they can always remember that there are many over here who are always thinking of them, and praying for them. 

And there's nobody better to sing it other than Rascal Flatts, with their beautiful harmonizing.  This video also has "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with it because it is from last year's CMA Country Christmas, and I could not the video with them just doing "I'll be Home for Christmas".  So, you can either watch the whole thing, or start at the 4:44 mark to just watch "I'll be Home for Christmas".

Merry Christmas

song 18: virgin's lullaby

Virgin's Lullaby

Nativity Story

If you've ever seen the "Nativity Story" or listened to it's soundtrack, you have heard this song.  I love how this song gives different viewpoints of Jesus' birth.  They do such a great job of that in this song.  If you've never seen the "Nativity Story", I really recommend it.  It gives a great motion picture of the "Christmas story" (basically Luke 2).   Although some of what's in the movie aren't the truthful facts about what really happened, most of it is right on.  And it is interesting the whole way through.  Even though most anybody who watches it knows what happens in it, you will not be bored watching it. 

Merry Christmas!

song 17...

Merry Christmas

Third Day

This song (as you'll hear in just a few minutes), is a guy singing about waiting to go pick up his daughter from China.  He is saying how Christmas keeps rolling around, and yet, she is still in China awaiting a forever family.  I love this song, because it not only talks about adoption (from China nonetheless), but it also raises adoption awareness.  And Third Day does a great job with it.

There is also another adoption/Christmas song written by, none-other-than Steven Curtis Chapman (who, as you all know, also adopted from China), and this is about a little boy talking about his Christmas list.  And all he wants is a family for Christmas, it might bring some tears, but it is a great song, that also raises adoption awareness. I have included this song as well because it goes along with the other one.

Merry Christmas!



angels we have heard on high

Song 16

Angels we have Heard on High

Chris Tomlin & Steven Curtis Chapman

This is another one of my favorites.  I have dubbed this song as "my song".  When I was little, I always thought they were saying "In ex-CHELSEA'S deo", in other words, I always thought this song had my name in it.  Of course I was devastated when I found out that it really wasn't my name (although, in somed renditions, it still sounds like my name to me).  But the song still remains to be "my song" whether or not it has my name in it.

Here is one of my favorite versions of it, by Chris Tomlin and Steven Curtis Chapman.

The one by Chris Tomlin is more recent, but the one from SCC is way back from '95.

Enjoy them both, and Merry Christmas!

hard life...

(Song #15 below this post)

Brad Paisley has done it again...given another reason why he is such a great guy.  He has a new single called "Hard Life".  It was written by his friend, Joe Kindregan who has A-T. 

A-T is a rare, fatal, genetic disease that combines symptoms of cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, immune deficiencies, and cancer.  This song was written for a charity called the

A-T Children's Project, and all proceeds from this song will benefit that charity.

This song can be meaningful to anybody who has some form of disease, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional.  Because (as most of you know) I have a physical disease, this song really hits close to home with me, which helps me love this song (and Brad) all the more.  It really makes me happy when people of that popularity are always "looking out" (so to say) for those who have diseases (especially those who have fatal, debilitating diseases, and those who have physical abnormalities).  It makes the rest of the world more aware of all the rare diseases that are out there. 

Also, when a song is written (as in this case), it makes people with a disease feel like that song (in a way) was written "for" them.  Not only is the world more aware of those diseases, but it also helps them realize how to treat people with a disease.

So once again, Good Job Brad Paisley (and Joe)!

signing off, this is miss louise :)



Hope of Israel

Hope of Israel

Michael W. Smith

Although this one does not have words with it, it is still yet another beautiful Christmas piece.  Michael W. Smith is one of those people who can make anything sound amazing.

another josh groban one...

Song 14: Believe

Josh Groban

This is my favorite song from The Polar Express soundtrack.  It's a great ending to a great movie.  Although the movie's not really about the true meaning of Christmas, the song can be taken in many different ways.  Whether it be believing in ourselves, Jesus, etc.

But no matter what, "you have everything you need, if you just believe"

Merry Christmas!

song 13...

O Holy Night

Martina McBride

A beautiful song, from beautiful lady.

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs.

Merry Christmas

song 12

Away in a Manger

Brad Paisley

song 11: do you hear what i hear?

It seems to me that there are quite a few people who do not like this song.  But that's only because it's overplayed on the radio, and they don't ever play the right singer for it.

Hear is a great version of this song, that I'm sure you'll all love.

It's sung by a beautiful voice (I know, I've said that with about every song on hear). But, I wouldn't post a song that's sung by somebody awful. 

Anyways, her voice really is amazing.  And she definitely does this song justice.

Merry Christmas!

song #10

The First Noel

Scotty McCreery

This is a beautiful rendition of The First Noel.

(pay no attention to the annoying lady they show 3 times, the one next to jennifer nettles. who's not even close to excited about sitting next to jennifer or watching scotty)



Grandpa

(song #9 below this post)

I have lost almost all of my grandparents. Except for my grandpa on my mom's side.  I just started realizing how much of a blessing it is to have him around.  He is such an amazing guy, and a great role model in life, (and I'm sure everybody who knows him would agree with me on that).  They always say "You never realize what you have til it's gone." And this is me taking advantage of that.  No, I'm not saying he'll leave us anytime soon, but I want to make sure I "receive" every lesson and wise words from him, so that I can live like he does. 

He is a guy who I try live my life like.  So many people know him, and yet out of all those people, nobody has ever had a complaint about him in any way.  Yes, he is that great.

So this is for you grandpa, although you will probably never see this, it doesn't matter.

Everybody in this video loves you, along with many more people.

Love you!

Signing off, this is chezzy.

Song #9

Winter Wonderland

Sugarland

Another fun one for today, you know, for "fun friday" :)

This is probably one of the best versions of winter wonderland.  It doesn't have any weird extra lines or parts to it, it's very simple, and it's fun and upbeat.  It's also sung by one of the most powerful and amazing voices in country music (well, any type of music actually. i think)

Interesting fact about this song:

It was written by a guy named Dick Smith (the lyricist) in 1934, who was in a sanitarium at the time being treated for tuberculosis.  After seeing Honesdale's Central Park (in PA) covered in snow, he was inspired to write "Winter Wonderland"

Also, Parson Brown refers to a Protestant minister.  Back in those days, a "parson" would travel from village to village to perform wedding ceremonies for those who did not have a local minister of their own faith.

But because some saw this part of the song as "inappropiate" for children (deciding to get married in the "spur-of-the-moment"), it was changed, in 1953, to "circus clown".

Although nowadays, you almost always hear it with both stanzas.

Merry Christmas!

Song #8 - Wizards in Winter

Wizards in Winter

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

TSO can take almost any song and turn it into something amazing.  I love almost every one of their songs, but this is one of my favorites, although I don't really know why.  It's one of those songs I could listen to over and over again and never get sick of it.

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!



Christmas Day (song 7)

Christmas Day

(Michael W. Smith with Mandisa)

Not much to say about this song other than:

It's a beautiful song, sung by two amazing and powerful singers.

It maybe would be more appropiate for actual "Christmas Day", but I already have a song picked out for then.

So here ya go, song #7:



song #6

(didn't have to desert my computer at all; thanks to anti-virus programs, it is working and is all well and healthy again!)

Bring Him Home Santa

(6 yr. old from Tennessee)

If any of you have somebody in your family who is a soldier, and is gone throughout the Christmas season, you know how this little girl feels.

Remember to think of those soldiers always, but especially throughout this season, when a lot of it is focused on family. 

This post is for my cousin who is a soldier, and won't be home this Christmas.  We are all thinking of you and wishing you were here.  We miss you.

Alexis Joy

(song #5 below this post)

You will be greatly missed, and never forgotten.

You were the best dog anyone could ever ask for, always a best friend to anybody who needed one.  You were the most wonderful dog ever.

from one dog to another, millie says she misses you, and can't wait to see you again.

We love you



"best buds forever"

song #5

Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday

Brad Paisley

This goes along well with my "Christmas them" this year, and it adds a lot of laughter to the whole idea about not saying "Christmas"

(on a side note, i'll be bringing my computer to the 'doctor' tomorrow, don't know when i'll be getting it back, but i will still try to keep up-to-date on the songs. if i am unable to, i will catch up when i do get my computer back)

thankful

song #4:
Josh Groban: Thankful

Well, this really isn't a "Christmas" song, but it is off of Josh Groban's Christmas CD, so I'm counting it as a Christmas song.  I only listen to it during the Christmas season anyways.

This is a great song about how we can be thankful for so much, because when you look at the world around you, there are people who are a lot less fortunate.  It is a great song to keep in mind during the Christmas season.  Even if you may not get as many presents as last year, or are unable to see somebody, or weren't able to put up as many Christmas decorations as usual, there is still a lot you can be thankful for. 

Think of those in other countries, who don't have any presents, and never did have any.  Think of those who don't even have the basic necessities that we live with.  Think of the real meaning of Christmas, Jesus is why we even have a Christmas in the first place.  Thank him for that, and everything else you were able to receive this Christmas season.

There is so much to be thankful for!

Once again, Merry Christmas!



Jingle Bell Rock

Song #3: Jingle Bell Rock

A more up-beat fun song for the weekend! With a very fun and great video.

This was at the CMA Country Christmas from last year.  A bunch of country stars perform a bunch of different Christmas songs, it's as equally great as the CMA awards show.

Enjoy!



Joy to the World

Song #2:
Joy to the World

George Strait

This is one of the Christmas classics, you can never get sick of it. I have always loved this one, it's so, well, joyful!

This may make me sound really stupid, but:

This song was written by Isaac Watts, and it's based of Psalm 98! I never heard that before.

Isaac wrote it as a hymn glorifying Christ's triumphant return.

Merry Christmas!

song #1: let it be christmas

Let it Be Christmas

(written by: Alan Jackson)

wordless wednesday

season's greeting! happy holidays! merry x-mas!

...or in other words Merry Christmas!!!

welcome back to the "most wonderful time of the year!"

everybody knows that I love the Christmas season, and pretty much everything about it.

Like I said, from my post last year, I'm not the type that gets extremely stressed out about the Christmas rush, so this time of year is very uplifting for me.  In two weeks, I'm done with this quarter of the school year, so I pretty much have nothing to stress about, and I can just enjoy my life. 

But, up there (where I said "pretty much everything") there is one thing that really irritates me about this season.  And you might know where I'm going with this, but, it's the fact that some people are offended by the word "Christmas", so you "have to be careful" about who you actually say "Merry Christmas" to.  I'm sorry, but when did Christmas start offending people? Now we have to start saying "Happy Holidays"?  Last time I checked, there is a lot more holidays throughout the year, so can we say Happy Holidays then too? If you ask people what their favorite holiday is, and it happens to be Christmas, what do they say? "Um, that one holiday that happens on the 25th of December", no, they say "Christmas!".

Okay, so all you non-tolerant people need to get it through your heads, the name of the holiday is "Christmas" therefore you say "Merry Christmas". Just like on Thanksgiving, you say "Happy Thanksgiving", or on Fourth of July, people say "Happy Fourth of July!".

So the point being, say what you wanna say this Christmas Season. But no matter what, the name of the holiday is still Christmas.  And no matter what happens, that's what I'll always  call it.

So, Merry Christmas for this whole season to you all.

On another note, starting in December, I'll be doing a "Song Countdown" until Christmas day. So, each day I'll post a Christmas song, maybe give a few words about it, maybe not, up until Christmas day.  I will still try to do my regular posting, but keep checking everyday for the "song of the day". And I will forewarn you now, the songs will most likely be sung by country singers, because that's what I have a lot of. But there will be a few here and there that won't (I already have some picked out).



Again, have a blessed Christmas season!

signing off, this is chezzy louise :) 

it's thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

I could go on and on about all the things I'm thankful for. I could tell you the story about the first thanksgiving we ever had in America. Or I could just be here to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. And that's what I'm here to do.

So, once again, Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope all is well for you on this day.  It's not a very "exciting" day over here, but a very relaxing day none-the-less.  I'll be working tonight, and then heading out to do a little black friday shopping.  Yes, that's right, I'm a bit crazy.  I do have a life though, and I am not camping out like other crazy people. 

So, on this day we are reminded to be thankful for the things, and people, in our lives.  Not only today, but all the other days we should be thankful for the stuff we have.  We need to especially remember to be thankful for the stuff we don't like to do (that was in our kids message this morning at church, ha).  For example, I hate picking up the garbage after my dog, Lexi, knocks the trash cans over (she has this habit of always tipping trash cans for).  But I can be very thankful that I have a dog like her, she has added a lot of joy to my life.  Kind of a ridiculous example, but it still makes sense.

So once again, happy thanksgiving to y'all.  I'll see you soon.

Signing off, this is Chezzy.



a long post, but the end of (what seemed like) a decade...

day 27, 28, 29, and 30 (yes, all in one post)

just finishing this 30 day challenge up before thanksgiving and Christmas begin.

day 27: a picture of myself with a family member

well, since i've had all my other family members in this challenge, it's shaelyn's turn.

this goofy, silly, very loud, and SUPER energetic girl has definitely changed my life

(yes, for the better)

10 yrs. ago, I never would have imagined my life like it is today.

you were definitely a "missing piece" of our puzzling family, and that is why you fit so nicely in with us.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

day 28: a picture of something i'm scared of

this one doesn't need too many words. SPIDERS!

they are digusting creepy-crawly animals that do not need to be so numerous on this earth. (especially in my house). i don't think i will ever find a place in my heart for them. i don't see them as one of God's beautiful creatures. and i will take a vacuum to them any day.

they completely gross me out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

day 29: a picture that can always make me smile

there is a lot of pictures that make me smile, so i looked back at some old photos.

(i love looking back at the "good ole days" when i was so care-free in life).

i just made a collage of photos that all make me smile or laugh and here's what i came up with:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

day 30: a picture of someone i miss

well, i can't pick and choose favorites on this one.

three of my grandparents have all passed away. they were the closest ones to me that have gone to Heaven. so, again, i just made a collage of my grandparents that are all watching over me right now in Heaven. although i miss them, i feel very safe to have 3 guardian angels all looking out for me.

so there it is, this 30 day challenge is done.

and with that, this is chezzy louise signing off.

(i'll probably, most likely, see you on thanksgiving)

;) 



day 26

day 26: a picture of something that means a lot to me

something that means a lot to me is Proverbs 3:5 (if you remember my "favorite verse" post).

this verse has such a great meaning to me. so that would be why this picture means a lot to me.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

and lean not on your own understanding"

~Proverbs 3:5

signing off, this is chez

 

day 25

day 25: a picture of my day

i was waiting for more of an eventful day, so that i wouldn't bore you to tears with a post for today.  well, today was a bit more eventful and "out-of-schedule" than my regular life, so, today's the day.

first, i went to the theatre with my mom and saw the final harry potter movie (yup, finally). it was really good, i'm very happy with how all of those movies turned out. i never did read the books (b/c i hate reading), but i loved the movies. 

we also did a bit of shopping after that, didn't buy much though.

then, i when we got home i started designing, decorating, making, )whatever you wanna call it) a very special shirt. this shirt is going to be for a very great movie that's coming out (technically friday, but, more-so, tomorrow!). Breaking Dawn pt. 1. i'm going to see the premiere (my first movie premiere ever!), so i'm designing a shirt especially for it.

after that, we went to church for supper (on wed. there's supper at our church before all the activties - gems, cadets, turning point, etc. - begin). and we got to have mashed potatoes! this is a very big deal for me because mashed potatoes are my favorite type of potatoes, and we haven't had them yet, so i was very excited about that.

the rest of the night consists pretty much of tv. wednesdays are a great tv night for me and my family.  if you recall from a previous post, criminal minds is my favorite tv show, with survivor as one of my top 5, and they are both on tonight.

today has been (and still continues to be) a great day.

so, pictures of my day:

signing off, this is chezzy louise



day 24 (6 more to go!!!)

day 24: a picture of something i wish i could stop

There's a lot of answers to this one...

but, being an animal-lover, I'd have to say animal abuse.

It breaks my heart every time I see an animal die, get hurt, or lost, but it really angers me when it's a result of abuse from someone who simply just doesn't have a heart.

I really don't understand how someone can just beat, burn, drown, hang, etc. and animal, it's so frustrating that there's only so much I can do, and yet, abuse still continues to happen everyday. 

If I could do anything to put an immediate end to this cruelty, I would.  I would give my life to stop it.  But, because that (obviously) doesn't work, I do what I can.  I plan to go further in stopping animal abuse (when I have a bit more money) and pray that one day, animal abuse laws will be stricter to make people a bit more "afraid" to abuse animals.

And I do realize that there is also child abuse going on out there too, and I support those causes just as much.  But because so many are aware, and there's so many charities for that, I feel the need to bring awareness about animal abuse.  I simply just have a huge space in my heart for animals, and I will never give that up.  Animals are the one of the things that really make me feel better. It's music for some, a close relative or friend for others, and for me it's animals (esp. my own pets).

So with that, I'll be signing off.

Until next time, this is Chezzy Louise

Have a great weekend :)

day 23

day 23: a picture of my favorite book

i'm really not one for reading, it takes a REALLY interesting book for me to actually get into the book, and it has to get interesting right in the very beginning. so i can't really say that i have a favorite book.

so, now that you know all that, a book that i do find really interesting is a devotional book i'm reading right now. i know it sounds like a "typical Christian" to say some sort of Christian book, but honestly, this book is a great read for those who have difficulty with prayer.

the book is called "Why Pray?" by John F. Devries.  each day there is different segments on why it is important to pray, and it really helps those who struggle to pray. i am not all the way through it yet, but so far, it has really helped me learn how to pray. 

signing off, i'm chez

friday funnies

well, with the cma awards comin up in the next week,

(tune in november 9, on abc @ 8:00),

i thought i'd share some opening monologues from previous seasons.

(NOTICE: if you don't really pay attention to media or don't listen to country music often, you might not find them funny. i wouldn't know though, just a warning)

here is the first year of brad and carrie hosting together, obviously they did very well because they have been asked back every year since

43rd cma awards

...and, their 3rd year together, at the 44th cma's.

they are back to host their 4th year together this year, so if you thought these were funny, you are sure to get more laughs next wednesday. (as said earlier, november 9th on abc, 8:00)!

it is always a great show.

signing off, this is chez