What came first the chicken or the egg?

I like to check MSNBC.com everymorning and under the headline it had: Here comes the teen bride: Jamie Lynn to wed. It talks about how her and her baby's daddy plan to get married in their backyard. The last sentence is what made me laugh. I have included it below.

The friend says of the gown, “it will be strapless but not figure-hugging — she’s too young for that — and fairly traditional in style.”

She may be too young for a figure-hugging wedding gown, but not to young for motherhood at 16?? Umm, the jig is up, you have a kid, you're not sweet and inocent, wear what you want.

Engaged and Underage

This past weekend I was checking facebook and I saw something that surprised me. It took my breath away, and not in a romantic way. Living in Provo, you get used to people getting married young, 20 to 22, but there is always the urban myth of getting married at 18 or 19. This is seen as an great accomplishment, where a metal should be given to you. To some this will come to a shock, and no this is not the rantings of a single almost 25yr old girl/maid in Provo. I am happy for her and wish her only the best. But my sisters friends got engaged this weekend. She is 18. She just finished her 2nd semester of college. I know most of you are thinking why is this such a big deal, this is what you(me) always wanted for yourself. You(I) wanted to get married and have kids, you(I) never thought about going to college or getting a degree. Why is this blog worthy? My first thought was wow, she will never get to experience anything for herself. This young girl has been sheltered her whole little life and has never had to struggle. I called my sister to inform her/ see if she had heard. One point she brought up was that she will never have her own bank account. She will never experience single college life, living with roommates/ learning to deal with differences, fending for herself. Yes, I do know that my parents are just a phone call away if I need something and they do help me out; but I have a sense of accomplishment that I have my own bank account, I bought a car by myself, I have to be responsible and try not to remember my parents are there if I fall. I think back when I was 18 and how badly I wanted to get married, I almost married a creep, good thing he had the since to do something dumb and cheat on me or otherwise who knows. I was so in love with the idea of being a wife and mother it didn't matter who the guy was. I am not saying that she hasn't found Mr. right, maybe she has and Congrats to her for not having to play the game for very long. Congrats for finding the right guy for her. I just think back to when I was that age to now and I see how much I have done, what I have learned, how proud I am of myself. I think back and remember how shocked my parents were when I called them after the 2nd guy screwed up and told them I wanted to go to college. They were in shock, they didn't know what to say, and then I confused them even more and said I wanted to do construction. If I hadn't of had that time to figure things out and 'suffer' for lack of a better word I know I would have been happy, because I wouldn't have known any other way. But I am thankful that the Lord saw fit for me to go through trials and not have the plan I wanted, because he know that I needed to grow up. I have learned that I can make it on my own. I don't need some silly guy (even though one would be much appreciated) to co-sign on a car, or apartment, or bank account. I wanted to include a few pics from the past few years to see how much I've grown.
Las Vegas with Amanda.
Halloween as Dora the Explorer.
leftover tinfoil used from an FHE activity.
Getting another Halloween outfit ready, Barbie.
Camping/freezing to death at Goblin Valley.
Ward activity it was Valentine's Day.
One crazy night I think there was too much Mt. Dew.
A friends 80's themed birthday.
Dying Easter eggs.

Pioneers

A pioneer is a person who is one of the first to do something. A pioneer may settle previously uninhabited territory, or open up new areas of thought or research. This is a largely celebrated holiday in Utah. For me it is a day off from work and a chance to relax. I do not have Mormon pioneer history, ones that crossed the plains. My dad is a convert and my mom's grandparents joined in Mississippi. Like I mentioned above, it is more of a day off from work/ day at the pool for me. I had a thought while I was at the pool celebrating pioneer day, what does pioneer day mean to me? I felt kinda guilty sitting there in the nice cold water when a hundred and some odd years ago there were people dying to get here. I cry easily so if you want to read stories click here. I began to think of pioneers in my lifetime. I first thought of my sister Kelly. She was the first to do everything in our family. Libby, was the first one to do everything on her own. She showed that it can and will be done. Abraham Lincoln, not only a good looking man, but he took charge a saved a nation. George Washington stood up for what he believed in and as a result we have this great country. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us all of the Declaration of Independence that states that all men are created equal. Joseph Smith started the church. Paul Julius Gottlieb Nipkow created the television. Alexander Graham Bell created the phone. The point I am trying to make is that yes, these men did pioneer great things but when they were 5, 10, or even 15, they didn't know what they were going to bring to light. There are millions of things that we don't even realize that if someone didn't get bored of sitting in the dark, or wearing everyday clothes to the pool, or tired of hand writing, or tired of typing on a typewriter, who knows what this world would be like. I look at my nieces and nephews and wonder what are we teaching them now that will cause the cogs in their brains to turn and create magnificent things in the future. What am I to create, discover, or bring to light in this world? How am I going to be an everyday pioneer?

Calm and Relaxed

This past Friday I got a call from Manda and we went to dinner. Kelly and the boys came along. After dinner we tried to think of something we could all do, but we really couldn't think of anything. Kelly left with the boys to see Speed Racer and Manda and I went and got our toenails done. I chose a bright Lego blue. I have had them compared to Lego blocks or to blue M&Ms. While we were there we came across a few things. 1. every chick that worked there was either pregnant or just had a baby. The lady doing Manda's toes had a 5 day old baby, that was still in the hospital, and she was back at work!!! What happened to maternity leave? 2. Then on the flat screen they had was a wrestling show with a wrestling couple getting married, I know VERY romantic, what every girl dreams of when she thinks about her wedding day. 3. I questioned going in the first place because I felt my legs were prickly and didn't want the guy to see my prickly legs, but Manda said they were fine. As we were sitting their contemplating the marriage taking place on tv a guy came in and started getting a pedicure. Manda said, dude, I think the guy doing yours is happy with your prickly legs than if he had to massage that dudes hairy legs. 4. Lastly when we walked in we picked our polish and then some magazines. I happened to pick an Allure magazine. I really never read the magazines I just flip threw them. But on the cover they had a very catchy title. I have sense gone and found it on MSN. com. It is titled Forget fad diets. Get the facts on weight loss . I know there's not a trick or one thing that can change your weight the next day, like fad diets say you can. I know it takes hard work and dedication. I have realized I'm not going to find a quick fix and they are not going to discover anything like that. I keep reading the same stuff over and over again. Eat healthy, exercise, portion control, don't drink soda, you know take care of yourself. I then came across 2 questions that really hit me upside the head.
1. Besides body weight, does anything else affect leptin?
Sleep deprivation can lower leptin levels and increase levels of ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone that's produced in the stomach. That's one reason it's very hard to maintain a diet when you're sleep-deprived.
Hummmm, this should be something easy to do, and especially since I am not in school right now I can make this a habit so when school does start its something that is already programed in my body.
2. What about stress?
We're just starting to realize how much emotions affect weight. Stress prompts the body to release cortisol, which makes cells more resistant to insulin. You get excess insulin in the blood, which causes more calories to be stored as fat, especially in your abdomen, and that's associated with heart disease and diabetes.
Ok, I'm 24, not married, no children, a really lax job, yes I do have bills, I have a small
calling, visiting teaching supervisor. Right now my life should not be stressful. Yes, I do like to make everyone happy and I don't think about how it will affect me, I get this from my parents' examples and sacrifices. But I have noticed that it takes a lot for me to relax. I enjoy stress. If you go back and look at what it says about stress, what I have bolded above, why am I doing this to myself? This is something I can control. Diabetes runs in my family, being from the south doesn't help. I eat carrots like crazy so I can help my eyesight stay great. I wonder why am I selective about how I take care of myself? So a new challenge for myself, is not to lose weight, but to get rid of unnecessary stress and save it for when I do have a family, or when I've got 10 papers due on Friday or when everything needs to be finished on a certain day, or even saving it for the Christmas shopping season. I've always been told to put my shoulders down. I think there are so many knots in my upper back from stress, that they only seem to go down after I have had a massage, this is not good, I don't want to be known as 'no-neck Abby.'I've already got great nicknames that rhyme with 'Abby.' So if you know of anything that would help and OCD Perfectionist relax you comments are welcomed.

Reprise: Maybe being rude pays off

About 2 or 3 weeks ago I ordered a swim top from sears.com, ok the top was cool and stylish, its the halter tankini. I had it shipped 2 day mail. When it arrived it was the bottoms. I call customer service right away and was told to leave it out side and they would return it and send a new one. After 4 days or so of it sitting on the porch I called again and another lady said the other lady didn't know what she was talking about and I could take it into the store and return it plus shipping. Once I arrived there I think the 3 largest living brain donors were working. They could not return it plus shipping and once they called corporate they said they could only return payment on the item itself. So being a child of my father, I pulled a dad. Well I had pulled a dad several times during the process, but I remembered how I felt sometimes when my dad would talk to people and there was nothing they could do about it. I compare this to yelling at the secretary when the head guy did something wrong. I think its easier to yell at someone over the phone. One example of this is when I was talking to the 2nd lady she said that they were sold out and they couldn't send me one, so I sarcastically asked, "so you're telling me in less than 24 hours it has sold out?" she replied, "well yes mam," I then said "well I find that a little far fetched." she then lost her temper and I reminded her to not raise her voice at me and that I was the customer, who is ALWAYS right and she needed to show some respect. After the call ended my roommate Diane and I had a good laugh. Ok so back to the story, sorry for the tangent. When they couldn't make one complete thought at the store I returned home with the bottoms and fuming mad. The next day I went to UPS and tried to send it back, the lady there said that I would have to pay to return it. I quickly in my sweetest voice told her what had happened and she said she would try and send it back like it was delivered to the wrong address. When I went back to work I was ready to explode, so I wrote a letter to corporate. SO, the point of this story is today I received a call from sears, a real human this time and he was very apologetic. He said they had received the letter and wanted to make everything right so he said I could look forward to the entire purchase, including shipping, to be returned to my account and he would be sending a $30.00 gift card and the original top that I ordered. Trying to seem like I am a nice person, and not looking like I wanted a handout, I told him this was too much and at the time I was upset but that now it was water under the bridge and it was more for them to learn from than anything. He insisted and so I said okay. So, maybe being rude, or expressing what you really feel is good. It got results. Well the guy just called again. He asked if it would be okay if he just put the cost of the swimsuit on the card instead. I said great.

Taking the guess work out of it

When I get to work and throughout the day I check msnbc.com . Today I came across this article New Yorkers try to swallow calorie sticker shock. After reading this article, I wish they would do this all over the country. I know I go into Quiznos and order a Bajia Chicken sandwich thinking I am making a healthier choice than getting a hamburger but when it comes down to it they are about the same. I think it is a good idea. I know they post the nutritional facts online, but the last thing I want to do when I log on is go and check how many calories I ate and how many pounds I expect to gain. It's just a guilt trip, it makes me feel worse and doesn't make me want to work out. But if I could know, blatantly see what was in my future order, I might stay on track for longer. I might make a more conscious decision to pick something healthy on the menu. On the other hand would this really help? Would we make a more conscience decision, or would we feel guilty while eating what we ordered? Do I really want to know how poor my eating habits are?

politeness is SO out

When did being rude become acceptable? Yes, we all think things about people, and we all vent. We are human. We aren't going to like everything about everyone. My question is, when is it acceptable to tell someone something that is most likely going to hurt their feelings, and you feel okay about telling them? Now I understand telling them to save them from future embarrassment, but there are things that can go without being said. They probably know what is wrong, but they either don't want to believe it or are trying to fix it and don't need you pointing out all their faults. I am not preaching. I am guilty, whether it be riding someones bumper because I think they should be driving at least at the speed limit, or someone saying something that they know is going to hurt you. When I am at the pool, I laugh at what some people do or wear, yes this is wrong, but I would never go up to someone and say, hey, umm, yeah, you really don't need to be wearing that. I think more power to them for having the confidence to wear it. I wish I had that much confidence. How hard is it to answer someones (maybe its not someone you like) question nicely instead of a quick jab? You might not care to talk to them but you can be polite for a few seconds and humor them. I know there are things about me that I would like to change and that are sensitive subjects to me. I don't need you picking and highlighting them. Telling someone what is wrong with them is not going to help remedy the problem its only going to make them fall farther back into the hole, they were trying to dig their way out of. Some things are better left unsaid. I think people have forgotten or never grasped the thought of common courtesy. I know you only say it b/c you love them and want the best for them, but if you love them and want the best for them, then why can't you except them for who they really are instead of the person you wish they were?

Cameron "Beans" Birthday

This past Saturday was Bean's birthday. He turned 7. For his birthday we went to Jump On It http://jumponitparty.com/ and then back to his house for cake, ice cream, and gifts. Manda always has the cool gift, thinkgs you can't find in a store. This year she made Cameron some brightly colored t-shirst with his name on them. Along with it her and Alex wrote the funny card to go with it. There was a Batman cake, that I was told pictures were taken care of so look on Kelly's blog page. Here are a few pictures that I took.

Knowledge is Power

The past weekend was busy. I did have plenty of free time to do what I wanted and it was a relaxing 3 day weekend, but my mind was constantly going. Thursday night I tried to go to bed early and succeeded. The problem was that I kept waking up every 30 minutes. So when my alarm went off for Libby's Special Day I reluctantly got up and ready to be at Libby's at 10am sharp. I have to much of my dad in me. I can't be late, and when you say a time to be ready I'm ready. I thought threw the 10+ emails that were exchanged between Kelly, Libby, Manda, and Me that we were to meet at the Gateway in SLC at 11am. So I got to Libby's at 10, left her house at 10:30 got to Kelly's at 10:45 and she was still upstairs getting ready. I started to get antsy and do the foot tap, like dad does. Once we left Kelly's we went to Manda's. Needless to say we got to the Gateway around 11:30 or so. For Libby's special day we went shopping and ate at Tocanos. When we had walked till our feet hurt we went back to Kelly's to BBQ for the 4th. I made bacon covered grilled corn http://www.pauladeen.com/recipe_view/83 . When it got dark we went over to the school and watched the Thanksgiving Fireworks. I love the traditions that we have. I love 'special day' parties, every holiday is at kelly's, the unorderlyness of everything. That night after the fireworks we went back to Kelly's for our fireworks. As Amanda and Alex were sitting on the curb lighting their fireworks my mind drifted back to 3 years ago. Three years ago we were at kelly's old house (5min from her new) and I was on the curb with my guy. We had just gotten back from Malad, ID to spend the 4th with his family. This is when I remember starting the 4th and fireworks at Kelly's tradition. Remembering brought back those memories of that weekend and how happy I was. I could feel the tears getting ready to flow so I left and went back to my place before I went over to babysit for Libby, so her and Rich could go out for a Birthday Breakfast alone. The next morning as I was feeding the girls my mind began to wonder again and I realized that it was the day he proposed. At times I really love that I can remember the dumbest of details and remember them forever, kinda like an elephant never forgets. I thought about what my life would be like if everything had gone according to my plan. Would I still be in St. George, UT? Would I be okay with only one visit to Ut County a month?- this was our agreement when we moved down there. Could I stand being away from my family? Would I be in school? Would I have the goals I have today? Would I be happy?? that was the clincher. I thought why am I thinking this? there's no way to go back and change it, be thankful for where you are. This continued threw out the day and that night I turned on the TV and Steel Magnolias was on. I told myself not to watch it, to find something funny, because I didn't want to cry and that movie always makes me cry, but I got sucked in and watched it. When it came to the part at Shelby's funeral, I sympathized with Sally Fields character. I had felt the same way about why it didn't happen with Phil.
That night as I was going to bed I opened my scriptures and fanned threw the old testament and stopped in Deuteronomy chapter 7 vs 9. It was highlighted. I rarely go to the old testament so it peaked my interest into why it was highlighted. I read it again and again.
Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
As I read this I couldn't get past He is God, the faithful God. Once I got past that it clicked, I remembered my Patriarchal blessinghttp://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=17517c2fc20b8010VgnVCM1000004d82620a and it said something like no blessing, or want will be withheld from you if you stay close to your Heavenly Father. What a great promise. As I thought about this I went back and reread the scripture. He will keep his promise forever, just have the faith. I then went back and read the surrounding scriptures 6, 7, & 8:
6 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 7 The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
After reading this I rembered John Chapter 15: 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. 18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke> for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

In verses 13-16 it says I, the Savior chose you to be my friend. I will tell you everything, I have taken every hardship and every tear of yours. I have given my life so that you can live. I have endured everything, I am here waiting for you to come cry on my shoulder. Then to Alma 36:3 - And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

What great promises the Savior makes. After church on Sunday we had a break the fast. As I got there I thought about dropping the salad off and going back home because I was alone, and I really didn't know anyone. But as I went to set the salad on the table a girl in my Relief Society came over and started chatting with me. After the pray was said we got in line and I lost her. Fear came over me and as I neared the end of the line I saw her but the table she was sitting at was completely full. Panic was my only thought. As I was getting my drink I thought about going into the hall and eating, and then I saw the guy I kinda like and his table was pretty empty. I thought as my heart pounded and decided I would go over and invite myself to sit with him. If I was going to take a step in inviting myself to his table I might as well take a step in flirting. I was scared to death. I don't know how but I just started walking. Then I heard someone call my name. It was a guy I had met earlier at church. He asked if I wanted to sit with him and his firiends at their table. I think this was the first time I took a breath. I agreed and sat down. Part of me was disappointed in that I had taken the easy way out and not gone over to the other guys table, but the other half of me was all smiles, because someone, suprizingly a guy, had asked me to sit with them. As we ate our hamburgers, the girl sitting across the table asked my name and said that I reminded her of a Disney Princess. I think we will have to become friends! If she only knew how much I loved Disney. As I sat their smiling I thought about what had just happeened. The Lord knew I was freaking out and was there for me. I quickly remembered Elder Bednar's talk, The Tender Mercies of the Lord. http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=fd4dd04a6921c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

I know the Lord has a lot on his mind, and many other important things to occupy his time, but that he would take the time, to know that I needed him right then, that I either needed a safety net (new friends I made at the table) or courage to go over to the other guys table. I know the Savior answers those unspoken prayers. He is there in every aspect of our lives and knows what we need at the moment. Looking back over this weekend it could have been a weekend of self pitty, of asking 'why me.' But I am thankful that the Lord thought to give me a greater understanding of His tender mercies and to reamp my faith in His plan.

AMERICA

Okay, so I have a lot of free time at work and so I decided to go on the Internet and type in American Fun Facts. I love weird statistical facts. I ended up coming across the following things.

And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. ~Lee Greenwood - I love this. Its so simple. To where at my least knowledgeable point I know I am FREE. I can choose what to believe it, to do with my day, and become who I want to be. I think we take this for granted. How often do we take a step back and look at our everyday choices and ask ourselves if we will go to jail for them. When I say everyday choices, I mean the clothes we put on, or the way we wear our hair, or the music we turn on and rock out to.

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ~Abraham Lincoln

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! ~Thomas Jefferson - I think we have lost sight of this. One example is taking God out of everything. This country was founded upon Him. No one is forcing you to say the Pledge, just stand up, put your hand over you heart, and show some respect for your country, and for the men and women who died so that you could have the right not to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Do you know how many people are doing everything they can to get here? Do you know the sacrifices they are making so they can have that freedom? No one is forcing you to stay, its your right to leave.

As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language, and our own lifestyle. This culture, called the "American Way" has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
Our forefathers fought, bled, and died at places such as Bunker Hill, Antietam, San Juan, Iwo Jima, Normandy, Korea, Vietnam. We speak English, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn our language!
"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some off the wall, Christian, Right Wing, political slogan - it is our national motto. It is engraved in stone in the House of Representatives in our Capitol and it is printed on our currency. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation and this is clearly documented throughout our history. If it is appropriate for our motto to be inscribed in the halls of our highest level of Government, then it is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.
God is in our pledge, our National Anthem, nearly every patriotic song, and in our founding documents. We honor His birth, death, and resurrection as holidays, and we turn to Him in prayer in times of crisis. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture and we are proud to have Him.
We are proud of our heritage and those who have so honorably defended our freedoms. We celebrate Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day. We have parades, picnics, and barbecues where we proudly wave our flag.
As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national anthem, quote my national motto, and cite my pledge whenever and wherever I choose. If the Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.
The American culture is our way of life, our heritage, and we are proud of it. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. Like it or not, this is our country, our land, and our lifestyle.
Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion about our government, culture, or society, and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of another great American freedom: THE RIGHT TO LEAVE!
Another thing: To those who do complain about the usage of words like 'God' and 'American' and speaking the language of our great nation, try going to another country and speak against what you don't like. You will more than likely end up jailed or even killed.
In America, you take your right to complain for granted. The more patriotism that is removed from where our children are taught, the less our children will learn about what it is to be an American and our nation's spirit will slowly be killed. Keep patriotism alive! - this is unknown.

On a lighter side, Fun State Slogans

I added this because I first read Louisiana's and smiled, then I read Utah's a laughed, and then the rest and thought they were pretty funny also. Texas and Mississippi are pretty good. Alabama: Yes, We Have Electricity

Alaska: 11,623 Eskimos Can't Be Wrong!

Arizona: But It's A Dry Heat

Arkansas: Literacy Ain't Everything

California: By 30, Our Women Have More Plastic Than Your Honda

Colorado: If You Don't Ski, Don't Bother

Connecticut: Like Massachusetts, Only The Kennedy's Don't Own It Yet

Delaware: We Really Do Like The Chemicals In Our Water

Florida: Ask Us About Our Grandkids

Georgia: We Put The "Fun" In Fundamentalist Extremism

Hawaii: Haka Tiki Mou Sha'ami Leeki Toru (Death To Mainland Scum, But Leave Your Money) Idaho: More Than Just Potatoes ... Well Okay, We're Not, But The Potatoes Sure Are Real Good

Illinois: Please Don't Pronounce the "S"

Indiana: 2 Billion Years Tidal Wave Free

Iowa: We Do Amazing Things With Corn

Kansas: First Of The Rectangle States

Kentucky: Five Million People; Fifteen Last Names

Louisiana: We're Not ALL Drunk Cajun Wackos, But That's Our Tourism Campaign

Maine: We're Really Cold, But We Have Cheap Lobster

Maryland: If You Can Dream It, We Can Tax It

Massachusetts: Our Taxes Are Lower Than Sweden's (For Most Tax Brackets)

Michigan: First Line Of Defense From The Canadians

Minnesota: 10,000 Lakes ... And 10,000,000,000,000 Mosquitoes

Mississippi: Come And Feel Better About Your Own State

Missouri: Your Federal Flood Relief Tax Dollars At Work

Montana: Land Of The Big Sky, The Unabomber, Right-Wing Crazies, And Very Little Else

Nebraska: Ask About Our State Motto Contest

Nevada: Whores and Poker!

New Hampshire: Go Away And Leave Us Alone

New Jersey: You Want A ##$%##! Motto? I Got Yer ##$%##! Motto Right Here!

New Mexico: Lizards Make Excellent Pets

New York: You Have The Right To Remain Silent, You Have The Right To An Attorney ... NorthCarolina: Tobacco Is A Vegetable

North Dakota: We Really Are One Of The 50 States!

Ohio: At Least We're Not Michigan

Oklahoma: Like The Play, Only No Singing
Oregon: Spotted Owl ... It's What's For Dinner

Pennsylvania: Cook With Coal

Rhode Island: We're Not REALLY An Island

South Carolina: Remember The Civil War? We Didn't Actually Surrender

South Dakota: Closer Than North Dakota

Tennessee: The Educashun State

Texas: Si' Hablo Ing'les (Yes, I Speak English)

Utah: Our Jesus Is Better Than Your Jesus

Vermont: Yep

Virginia: Who Says Government Stiffs And Slackjaw Yokels Don't Mix?

Washington: Help! We're Overrun By Nerds And Slackers!

Washington, D.C.: Wanna Be Mayor?

West Virginia: One Big Happy Family ... Really!

Wisconsin: Come Cut The Cheese

Wyoming: Where Men Are Men ... and the sheep are scared!!!

I am Proud to be an American.

I am thankful that I was blessed to be born here.

Happy 4th of July.

"The Things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history." -Woodrow Wilson